1 00:00:23,359 --> 00:00:30,560 Good evening everyone and welcome to our regular council meeting for August 24th, 2 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:33,520 2026. I'd look for a mover and a seconder to call our meeting to order, 3 00:00:32,160 --> 00:00:37,120 please. Moved by councelor Martin, seconded by councelor Crestman. All 4 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:41,680 those in favor, that carries unanimously. 5 00:00:38,879 --> 00:00:45,120 We did not have a closed session today. So, I will invite councelor Wilkinson to 6 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:48,879 introduce our territorial land acknowledgement, please. 7 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:53,199 » Thank you. Uh we have gathered in Wilmont Township on the traditional 8 00:00:50,480 --> 00:00:56,960 territory of the neutral and hodni and missaga peoples. And we also want to 9 00:00:55,680 --> 00:01:00,079 acknowledge the importance of the dish with one spoon covenant, a peace 10 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:03,840 agreement made between indigenous nations before the Europeans arrived. It 11 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:07,520 characterizes our collective responsibility to each other and mother 12 00:01:05,519 --> 00:01:11,520 earth that we should take only what we need, leave enough for others, and keep 13 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:15,280 the dish clean. By acknowledging this covenant and the First Nations, Inuit 14 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:19,360 and Matei people, we are reminded of our important connection to this land where 15 00:01:16,799 --> 00:01:23,520 we live, learn, and work together as a community. 16 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:28,880 » Thank you very much, counselor. Uh, I will now turn it over to CEO Wilmer to 17 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:32,000 introduce a new face around horseshoe. >> Thank you very much, Mayor Salin. And 18 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,520 we're very pleased to introduce Tracy Prince as the new treasurer and director 19 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:39,840 of financial services for the the township of Wilmont. Tracy's joining us 20 00:01:37,439 --> 00:01:43,920 remotely tonight. Uh, and she's uh been on the job for about two weeks now and 21 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:47,759 comes to us from the town of Ahmersburg and also has previous experience at 22 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:51,920 Slair Region Conservation Authority as well as the city of London. Uh Tracy is 23 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:56,399 a a chartered professional accountant, also has an MBA and brings a good 24 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:59,520 combination of people leadership skills and technical skills. So we're very 25 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:04,000 pleased to have Tracy join us as part of the team. 26 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:09,360 » Thank you very much and welcome Tracy. Uh on to the adoption of the agenda. I 27 00:02:06,719 --> 00:02:12,480 believe councelor Dunstall uh wanted to move that with an amendment. I'll turn 28 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:17,440 it over to councelor Dunstall. >> Thank you through you, mayor. Yes, I 29 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:22,480 want to make an amendment to remove uh correspondence 12.2 30 00:02:20,239 --> 00:02:26,400 from the agenda. >> Okay, that's been moved by councelor 31 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:31,920 Dunstall. Is there a seconder to that? Seconded by councelor Cresman. Any 32 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:38,640 questions or comments? So, the motion is to remove 12.2 and then adopt the 33 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:43,599 remaining agenda as presented. Okay, seeing none, I will call the 34 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:50,080 question. All those in favor? All those opposed. And that carries. On 35 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:54,160 to Are there any disclosures of pecunary interest? 36 00:02:52,319 --> 00:03:01,280 Councelor Cresman. >> Yes. Uh I would like to de declare a 37 00:02:57,599 --> 00:03:09,840 pecunary interest on 16.4 the zone change along um Gingrich Road. Uh it's 38 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:17,440 uh as a result of my uh oldest son uh G being CEO at Walter Fatty and uh they're 39 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:21,599 uh doing the engineering work on the uh entire project. 40 00:03:20,159 --> 00:03:25,440 » Thank you. >> Sorry. 41 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:31,280 » 14.6 I believe. >> Um it's for the Gingrich Road item, 42 00:03:29,599 --> 00:03:32,560 correct counselor? It's the Gingrich Road item. 43 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:38,319 » Yes. >> Okay. So that is 14.6 44 00:03:35,519 --> 00:03:42,959 and that has been noted. Uh we do have our minutes from the July 27th meeting 45 00:03:40,879 --> 00:03:46,720 as well as the August 13th special council meeting to be adopted as 46 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:49,760 presented. May I have a mover for that? Moved by councelor Sadu, seconded by 47 00:03:48,879 --> 00:03:52,080 councelor Cresman. >> Can I make a comment please? 48 00:03:51,519 --> 00:03:55,599 » Absolutely. >> Uh through you mayor Salin just uh I 49 00:03:54,400 --> 00:04:00,560 believe it's going to be changed but it's noted that I'm absent. Um, I guess 50 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:03,840 I missed the opening on the 27th, but I was there for the closed meeting and so 51 00:04:02,319 --> 00:04:08,959 I was here for the whole meeting except the initial um motion. 52 00:04:06,799 --> 00:04:12,879 » Uh, I'm seeing clerks nodding to acknowledge that. So, that will be 53 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:17,919 updated. Uh, thank you for making that note. Any other questions or comments on 54 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:22,320 the minutes before us? Okay, seeing none, all those in favor? And that 55 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:26,240 carries unanimously. We do not have any public meetings this 56 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:31,280 evening, but we do have a presentation. We got to see Tova twice in I believe 57 00:04:28,479 --> 00:04:38,479 the last two months. So I will invite up Tova Davidson and um Stefan Nacho, I'm 58 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:43,919 sorry if I've mispronounced that um to the podium to present on the new uh 59 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:48,320 sustainability manager. So welcome to council. Thank you so much. Um it's 60 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:53,440 really great to be here and to be back um after it's been I think six weeks or 61 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:56,960 two months. So nice to be here. Um for those who don't know, I'm Toa Davidson. 62 00:04:54,960 --> 00:05:02,400 I'm the executive director of S SWR sustainable water region and I'm here 63 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:07,840 just to introduce Stefan um a new partnership that has been formed between 64 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:12,800 the township of Wilmont and Welssley where together we have hired a 65 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:17,919 sustainability manager to support your own work towards um your operational 66 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:22,400 sustainability and integration of community work through the climate 67 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:26,160 action work etc etc as a staff person the support that SWR is bringing is our 68 00:05:24,479 --> 00:05:30,639 our own expertise to make sure that we are supporting the townships in this 69 00:05:28,479 --> 00:05:34,639 way. And it is a shared role with just a one-year idea of let's give this a try 70 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:38,880 and see how we can make some real progress. So the idea today is to 71 00:05:37,199 --> 00:05:42,000 introduce Stefan, give him a moment to introduce himself and just to talk a 72 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,600 little bit about what the priorities are at the very beginning and answer any 73 00:05:43,280 --> 00:05:50,479 questions the council may have. >> Correct. Thank you, Dova. Um, yeah, nice 74 00:05:48,479 --> 00:05:55,840 to be here and working with the townships of Wilmont and Wellsley on 75 00:05:53,039 --> 00:06:00,880 that project. I would call it. So, as you heard, my name is Stefan. [laughter] 76 00:05:59,039 --> 00:06:05,360 Um I'm an architect and certified passive house designer almost two 77 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:10,000 decades experience in the field worked on numerous retrofits 78 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:17,840 um energy efficient buildings like passive houses and um yeah the overall 79 00:06:13,759 --> 00:06:23,840 goal is to find um opportunities for optimization and performance 80 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:30,319 enhancements at the facilities of WA Township. And um in the first 6 months 81 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:39,039 we will well I will focus on the GHG emissions. See where we sit in terms of 82 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:47,600 um emissions and water usage and um yeah find hopefully some good um areas to 83 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:54,720 improve and um yeah reporting constantly to the council. The idea is to report 84 00:06:51,280 --> 00:07:01,840 like every every quarter to you guys and um yeah, if there's any questions, 85 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:06,800 please let me know. [laughter] >> Wonderful. Well, welcome on board and 86 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:11,680 thank you very much for coming today. Um I don't currently see any questions. Oh, 87 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:16,479 sorry, Councelor Wilkinson. >> Thank you through the chair. Um welcome 88 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:21,360 aboard. Um glad you're uh here. I'm just curious. I I realize it's very early 89 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:26,960 going, but I'm wondering if uh in your past experience or even in maybe some of 90 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:33,280 your research if there's any sort of um identifiable savings or operational um 91 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:38,000 improvements that that you think you can find or if what you anticipate those 92 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:44,880 could be. >> Yeah. Through the mayor to councelor 93 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:51,039 Wilkins Wilkins. Um yeah. Um so I think we have good opportunities in the terms 94 00:07:47,919 --> 00:07:56,960 of water savings. That's that's my first assumption from seeing the data. Um and 95 00:07:54,960 --> 00:08:04,560 yeah, we will have to review the data, see the facilities and um then I can 96 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:08,800 close to or can say more about if there's any things that we can do. I'll 97 00:08:07,199 --> 00:08:11,759 jump in as well just to say that the other focus for us is to look at that 98 00:08:10,639 --> 00:08:15,360 data and where the physical opportunities are and then to look at 99 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:19,199 funding opportunities and to apply for those funding opportunities to enable 100 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:22,960 some of those retrofits. So the capital cost could be mitigated by some of the 101 00:08:21,039 --> 00:08:27,199 funding opportunities the high energy efficiency increasing within the 102 00:08:25,039 --> 00:08:31,120 buildings then saving in operational as well. 103 00:08:29,599 --> 00:08:35,760 » Any other questions at this time council? Okay, seeing none. Thank you 104 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:41,200 again very much Toba and Stephanie for joining us 105 00:08:37,919 --> 00:08:44,959 » this evening. We do have uh three delegations. You'll be called when we 106 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:48,320 get to those appropriate parts in the agenda. 107 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:55,040 Uh we do have one item of correspondence. Did anybody want to 108 00:08:50,800 --> 00:09:01,920 speak to that? Okay, seeing none. Um we do have multiple items on our consent 109 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:08,959 agenda. We will be um pulling 13.3 to start as we do have two uh individuals 110 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:14,880 who have registered to speak on this. So I will start uh just making sure I'm 111 00:09:12,399 --> 00:09:19,839 following my notes here properly. Um so just for a note 13.3 is the Petersburg 112 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:23,920 drinking water system local improvement bylaw. 113 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:28,399 And uh as I said we have two delegates who have registered. So our first one is 114 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:34,040 Clive Wner. Thank you for joining us today, Clive. And you will have seven 115 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:34,040 minutes. 116 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:40,800 » Yeah, I want to talk about this uh this whole system. When it was originally 117 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:44,000 brought up, it was to be a looped system. That was what we were told that 118 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:50,160 needed to be because you couldn't have people at the end of a line. Now, the 119 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:57,360 2024 drawings show a loop system, but the 2026 drawings do not. And it's 120 00:09:54,880 --> 00:10:02,080 obvious to me and to most people that that's going to be connected to the 121 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:07,200 regional water supply because otherwise it's a deadend system all the way from 122 00:10:04,399 --> 00:10:12,000 Deerfield Court all the way around to the end of Snider's Road. And I guess, 123 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:16,880 you know, why were there no meetings after the system was redesigned? Why 124 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:23,120 wasn't it discussed with us? Why weren't the 26 people who are being forced and 125 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:27,839 slammed onto this system not shown as being possible on that? It 126 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:31,279 didn't even show us. You want us to come out and engage? Hey, I'll come out and 127 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:36,800 engage, but you know what' be nice? It would be nice if it wouldn't be hidden 128 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:42,880 like it has been. And you can say, well, you know, it was on the 2024 drawings, 129 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:47,920 but I would hope logic tells me the new revised drawings of 2026 drawings would 130 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:50,920 be the most accurate, which they were not. 131 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:56,640 And and you know, they're going to tie into that system. The second thing is 132 00:10:54,959 --> 00:11:01,839 this whole problem was brought on by the the NIPL water system, and it's been 133 00:10:59,279 --> 00:11:08,240 described as fair that these 26 properties pay. Well, what's fairness? 134 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:13,200 you know, they had 40, 50, 60, 70 years of not paying maintenance on the system 135 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:18,240 and I go out and spend 30,000 on a well and pump and treatment system and then I 136 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:22,560 have to pay for them as well. I don't consider that fair, but that's 137 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:26,720 mine. And I got to say, our counselor has been of no assistance because right 138 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:32,240 from the get-go, his position has always been if it's going to go, you're going 139 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:38,480 to pay for it. Period. No discussion, no nothing. I'm disappointed in that. I 140 00:11:35,279 --> 00:11:43,040 think it's a bad potential. And and there was no process, no time in 141 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:47,360 this whole process was there any attempt to address the concerns of the 26. 142 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:53,760 There's things that could have been done to okay, let's say we pay $10,000 143 00:11:51,680 --> 00:12:00,399 and then if we hook up in the next 15 years, we pay uh starting off at 15,000 144 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:04,240 going down to zero. Uh and it would have cost the others more, but I mean it it 145 00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:08,959 The way it's done, the whole process of even trying to get peti petition 146 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:15,279 together is impossible because there's 62 people who are saying, "Hey, if they 147 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:20,240 pay, we're 10, we're saving $10,000." Now, that's not coming out. That's 148 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:23,680 coming out of my pocket. And to me, this this is a service that 149 00:12:22,079 --> 00:12:29,800 has very little to no value to me because I I have a great source of 150 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,800 water, 151 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:36,880 you know. Since there's such a willingness to, you 152 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:42,959 know, have this 26 people do this, I I would say, you know, Mr. Wilkinson, 153 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:47,200 your honor, why don't you each throw 10,000 into it? Pay for it. We're paying 154 00:12:45,519 --> 00:12:51,440 for a service we don't need. Let you pay for it. Come on, let's everybody kick in 155 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:56,480 some money. I guess it's a little different when it's not your money. I 156 00:12:53,839 --> 00:13:00,720 guess it's easy to spend other people's. I'm just saddened that there's been no 157 00:12:58,079 --> 00:13:05,040 attempt to address anything to do with these 26 people. And Chris, 158 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:07,839 you've told people it's going to increase their property values and you 159 00:13:06,399 --> 00:13:12,480 told another person it wouldn't increase their property values. Which is it? I'm 160 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:15,360 a I'm a home builder. My wife's a realtor. Okay. Yeah. Laugh. It's funny, 161 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:20,959 isn't it? >> Point of personal privilege. 162 00:13:17,279 --> 00:13:25,760 » Yes. I was going to cut in. Um, I would just remind you that when delegating, 163 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:31,440 certainly valid to hear your perspective and I appreciate your perspective, but 164 00:13:27,519 --> 00:13:34,240 please do not defam or call out council. That's part of our procedural bylaw when 165 00:13:33,839 --> 00:13:37,839 you're >> That's fine. I'm just I'm just telling 166 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:42,320 it like it is. If someone says one thing and then says a different thing, if 167 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:46,639 that's calling them out, I'm sorry. I apologize for that because at the end of 168 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:51,519 the day, it shows certain things about what type of people 169 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:55,839 they are. I I would like to say you don't do 170 00:13:53,360 --> 00:14:01,839 something about it, but given everything I've seen, the lack of communication, 171 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:05,600 the lack of consideration for us, I have a feeling I've wasted my breath. Thank 172 00:14:04,079 --> 00:14:08,880 you. >> Thank you, Clive, for joining us this 173 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:12,639 evening and sharing your experience. Were there any questions of councel at 174 00:14:10,959 --> 00:14:21,680 this point? Okay, seeing none, uh we also have Raul 175 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:28,480 DGO who's joining us this evening. Is Raul online? 176 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:32,880 Okay. Um I don't currently see Raul in our chambers or online. 177 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:39,600 Um if he comes later, we can address at 178 00:14:36,639 --> 00:14:43,279 that time. Um, calling Raul just one more time. 179 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:49,040 Okay. All right. Um, so the recommendation is 180 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:55,680 that council dispense with item 13.3 separately as the uh recommended motion 181 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:59,199 to be amended highlighted below. So it was the original circulated one and 182 00:14:57,279 --> 00:15:06,399 council has in front of them as well. Um, but that the report is-20226-9 183 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:09,360 Petersburg drinking water system local improvement bylaw be received for 184 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:15,680 information and that the local improvement bylaw uh 26-60 Petersburg 185 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:20,079 local improvement be passed as and this is the new change as amended to include 186 00:15:18,399 --> 00:15:23,839 Deerfield extension in the description of the work. And then back to the 187 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:28,160 regular motion and that the treasurer return with the special charges bylaw at 188 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:34,639 the culmination of the Petersburg project currently anticipated early in 189 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:38,399 20128. Uh to get that on the floor moved by councelor Wilkinson. Is there a 190 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:41,920 seconder? Seconded by councelor Martin. And councelor Wilkinson you have a 191 00:15:39,839 --> 00:15:45,120 question or comment. >> Uh thank you through the chair. Uh there 192 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:51,199 was a couple questions I actually wanted to uh just address for um most of the 193 00:15:48,399 --> 00:15:54,959 residents in the affected area who did reach out and and I appreciate the 194 00:15:52,959 --> 00:16:00,079 correction on the bylaw to include uh Deerfield extension as that was missing 195 00:15:56,639 --> 00:16:04,000 initially but um uh director Vanderwal there was a question and I know we've 196 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:08,560 chatted about this but for the public just to understand the difference in 197 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:15,839 cost between the original 62 and then the additional um added homes I think it 198 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:19,920 was 20 23 or 25 whatever it was. But um if you could just explain that 199 00:16:16,959 --> 00:16:24,480 difference in the costing please. >> Uh through the mayor for the original 26 200 00:16:22,399 --> 00:16:30,240 residents there was preliminary investigation studies. The original 201 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:34,240 connection to the system including the water meters that were installed that 202 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:39,519 was shared among the original 62. I believe it is 203 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:45,440 the construction cost is what is being shared amongst I believe it is 80 is the 204 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:50,800 final number. So that that is the difference. 205 00:16:48,399 --> 00:16:53,680 » Any other questions? Councelor Wson through the chair. No other questions. I 206 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:58,399 appreciate that. That's just so it's those additional pieces in terms of the 207 00:16:55,279 --> 00:17:04,079 meter um that that is that cost difference between the two. So obviously 208 00:17:00,639 --> 00:17:08,319 if uh the homes that were added after the fact uh if they choose to meter that 209 00:17:06,799 --> 00:17:13,439 would be part of that cost that they would have to cover at the time 210 00:17:11,839 --> 00:17:16,959 through the mayor. It is anticipated that if a home would connect afterwards, 211 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:22,319 yes, they would have to do the plumbing permit, put a meter in those components. 212 00:17:19,839 --> 00:17:28,280 Some of the components for the original study would not need to be redone, but 213 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:28,280 that was the original 62. 214 00:17:28,799 --> 00:17:35,520 » Thank you. and uh through the chair just to to answer a couple other questions. 215 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:39,760 So um one of the other things that that was brought up as I was discussing with 216 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:43,919 some uh residents in the area. So uh the drawings itself are showing the full 217 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:48,720 redesign system including the looping onto Snider's Road in Notre Dame. Uh 218 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:51,840 phase one is to begin this year and that's for Sners Road in Notre Dame. 219 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:57,679 Correct. And then phase two would be next year inside the traditional uh 220 00:17:54,880 --> 00:18:01,840 service area >> uh through the mayor. We've been having 221 00:17:59,039 --> 00:18:06,559 discussions with the contractor. They are now anticipating starting next year 222 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:12,000 and they believe they can do the majority of the works next year. So it 223 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:18,880 is probably 2027. Uh we do note that due to the uh 224 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:22,880 requirements under the um local improvement we had delayed the 225 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:26,480 contractor. So we are working with them to get a better schedule and sure what's 226 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:29,760 going on. But that is what they have indicated at this time. 227 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:37,039 Thank you. Uh and through the chair, if I may one more time, uh just to sort of 228 00:18:34,799 --> 00:18:42,160 provide some context and explanation for uh anyone who may be unfamiliar, um 229 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:46,799 traditionally and and I know that I've had this conversation with staff and 230 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:52,400 residents, but when infrastructure uh at the municipal level passes in front of a 231 00:18:48,799 --> 00:18:55,840 home, um then it is traditionally paid for by the homeowner. and and a lot of 232 00:18:54,480 --> 00:19:00,400 new developments would typically see that in the form of development charges 233 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:05,840 uh and would be paying essentially for these services to go in. Um so I know 234 00:19:03,360 --> 00:19:10,480 that in in many cases at least precedent setting in my opinion across Ontario we 235 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:17,039 see a lot of this whether it be sewage or water uh hookups that essentially um 236 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:21,440 existing homes now have access to a new service and they pay for it. uh whether 237 00:19:19,919 --> 00:19:25,440 or not they choose to hook up to it ultimately I guess is at the 238 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:28,480 determination of the homeowner. So it's all saying that but thank you for your 239 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:31,840 work. >> Any other questions or comments on this 240 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:35,200 council? Seeing none, I'll call the vote on that. 241 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:41,120 It's been moved and seconded. So all those in favor that carries unanimously. 242 00:19:39,039 --> 00:19:47,360 And then we do have the remaining items on our consent agenda which are 13.1, 243 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:53,200 13, and 13.2. Uh, did anybody want to pull either of these items before voting 244 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:56,880 on them? Not seeing that. May I have a mover and a seconder? Moved by councelor 245 00:19:54,720 --> 00:20:01,679 Cresman. Seconded by councelor Martin. All those in favor and that carries 246 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:06,160 unanimously. On to our reports for this evening. The 247 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:11,520 first report recommendation is that report CAO-2026-25 248 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:15,679 strategic action plan update be received for information. May I have a mover for 249 00:20:13,360 --> 00:20:21,360 this? Moved by councelor Martin. seconded by councelor Sadup and I will 250 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:27,360 now turn it over to CEO Wilmer to present this report. 251 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:31,280 » Thank you very much Mayor Salonin. So uh this is uh the third update we've given 252 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:36,480 on the strategic action plan over the last number of months and uh the number 253 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:41,280 of complete actions is up to 24 now up from 16 when last reported we were 254 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:44,159 reported to council. Uh and there are there are six items there that we've 255 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:47,919 highlighted as having made significant progress. I'll just briefly touch on 256 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:52,480 those. One is the communication strategy refresh. Another is the adoption of the 257 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:57,200 official plan. There was also the approval of the Ontario transit 258 00:20:54,880 --> 00:21:02,320 investment fund, a grant of 3.4 million for for u improved transit to the four 259 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:07,200 townships in water region. The service delivery review uh implementation plan 260 00:21:05,360 --> 00:21:11,360 and uh the naming rights and sponsorship policy. In addition to that, when the 261 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:14,880 port report was written, it was our intention that the first phase of the 262 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:20,480 long-term financial plan be presented tonight. Um, and after the report was 263 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:24,320 written, but before the agenda was um was released, we determined that it 264 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:28,799 really wasn't ready yet. And we thought that rather than bringing a not quite 265 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:34,320 ready project for discussion, we would defer that until it's uh more fully 266 00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:38,000 ready. And uh we take responsibility for that. KPMG had done everything we had 267 00:21:36,159 --> 00:21:43,600 asked of them, but it was the township's inputs that were holding matters back. 268 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:46,480 » Thank you very much. Are there any questions on this item? 269 00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:50,400 » Council Martin. >> Uh through you, Mayor Salon, this isn't 270 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:54,320 so much a question as an affirmation. Uh when when I go through this and see the 271 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:58,960 work that is being done and has been completed, um I appreciate that work. 272 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:01,919 So, thank you. >> Any other questions or comments then? 273 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:05,039 Councelor Wilkinson. >> Thank you through the chair. I 274 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:08,960 appreciate the explanation uh and the update on the the long-term financial 275 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:13,600 plan and capital plan. My my hope was is that we would see that before the end of 276 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:17,760 this term, but uh under understand it is uh is difficult. You want to make sure 277 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:21,440 you get it right. Um I did have a question regarding the ERP project. I I 278 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:26,480 know we we've talked about this at length and uh we've already earmarked 279 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:31,520 that 300,000 for it. So, um, just wondering what's driving that increase 280 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:34,480 in cost, uh, up to half a million and and how we plan to tackle this in the 281 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:39,440 future because I know this has been hanging over us for a number of years. 282 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:45,039 » Uh, through you, Mayor Helen and Councelor Wilkinson. Uh, I can try to 283 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:49,039 attempt an answer for you. Um, the ERP project, you may recall there was a 284 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:56,400 pre-budget approval last summer actually for $500,000 for that software. Um it 285 00:22:52,880 --> 00:23:01,200 did go through uh the RFP process. Uh bids were received. Uh the bids 286 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:06,400 indicated that the budget uh was not going to be sufficient. In addition, as 287 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:12,799 you're aware, um there's some internal processes that need to be uh reviewed 288 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:16,640 and refined prior to trying to implement new software. Implementing new software 289 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:23,039 doesn't solve any problems if your your processes aren't ideal. So the first 290 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:28,000 step that we're approaching um is is to uh refine those processes internally and 291 00:23:25,360 --> 00:23:32,559 then probably reissue an RFP. Uh through the budget process, you would receive 292 00:23:29,679 --> 00:23:37,919 additional information as to um the anticipated cost. But certainly that 293 00:23:35,039 --> 00:23:42,159 those monies, the 500,000 plus the the monies that were I I believe 130,000 294 00:23:40,559 --> 00:23:45,840 relative to project management of that project, uh those would remain in the 295 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:50,159 capital budget. Some of them would have been spent on the project manager, but 296 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:57,840 the the bulk of those funds would would retain uh until future report. 297 00:23:54,720 --> 00:24:02,080 » Any other questions or comments? Council >> Councelor Cresman, 298 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:09,120 » it's through your merit. It's always dangerous to ask a question which you're 299 00:24:05,679 --> 00:24:15,440 formerly ignorant of, but that usually doesn't stop me. Um uh so the question 300 00:24:12,559 --> 00:24:24,159 relates to some of the discussion we've we had in Ottawa at the Association of 301 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:32,159 Municipalities of Ontario about AI and whether we have uh systems and we are 302 00:24:29,039 --> 00:24:37,200 adapting to systems that are uh would work with AI 303 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:43,279 uh into the future. And so you always worry when you adopt a certain uh 304 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:48,080 software that it may be looking backwards rather than looking forward. 305 00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:52,559 And so I guess that's where the question I know you had discussions you 306 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:59,919 understand that city of Kitchener's working with the software provider u 307 00:24:55,360 --> 00:25:07,919 with AI um streamlining streamlining answers to questions uh etc. So, as long 308 00:25:04,559 --> 00:25:14,400 as you have systems that mesh, again, my ignorance is showing, but uh obviously 309 00:25:11,279 --> 00:25:20,559 I'm just asking the question out of a a way of saving dollars to the future as 310 00:25:17,039 --> 00:25:23,880 compared to saying uh we have something that's obsolete. 311 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:32,880 » Who wants to take that one? Wilmer can >> I'm tempted to ask AI to draft an answer 312 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:36,559 for me so that I can quickly review that and and give you an something that's 313 00:25:34,559 --> 00:25:41,440 impressive that I I may or may not have created myself. Um it's early days yet. 314 00:25:39,279 --> 00:25:48,240 I think that's no surprise to anyone. Um we do have u co-pilot for our staff. The 315 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:51,840 the take upon it is limited, but we're also aware that people either in their 316 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:56,799 personal lives or related to work are starting to use other AI tools as well. 317 00:25:54,240 --> 00:26:01,600 And so, uh, it's something we want to, um, encourage people to use with 318 00:25:58,799 --> 00:26:06,640 caution. Um, and we'll, uh, we're we're working on a policy shortly that will 319 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:12,240 give people guidance as to which are, um, platforms that are allowable and 320 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:18,080 which ones are to be avoided. >> And I see uh, Tracy might want to jump 321 00:26:14,559 --> 00:26:22,720 in on this as well. >> For you, mayor, to members of council. 322 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:28,159 Yes, that's always a consideration when we're looking at uh software is to make 323 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:32,320 sure that it is agile enough to um manage what else is coming down the 324 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:38,159 coming down the you know pipes with regards to technology. Um I think there 325 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:44,240 is a lot of process of improvements available through AI but again we have 326 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:52,159 to be very um cautious um with using it and which um which AI tools we use and 327 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:56,400 which ones we um basically control as well. 328 00:26:54,159 --> 00:27:01,600 » Thank you Director Prince. Anybody wanted to add anything else? Nope. Okay. 329 00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:06,400 Um any other questions or comments? All right. Seeing none, uh, all those in 330 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:10,960 favor in accepting the action plan update for information and that's 331 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:16,880 carried unanimously. On to 14.2 and this is the work plan 332 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:20,960 update for August 2026. Also to be received for information. If I could get 333 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:24,000 a mover and a secondary for this moved by councelor Martin, seconded by 334 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:30,400 councelor Cresman and I will turn it back over to CEO Wilmer. 335 00:27:27,360 --> 00:27:36,480 » Thank you again, Mayor Salin. Uh so in the uh the work plan for 2026 there are 336 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:40,880 71 initiatives. 24 are complete 39 are in progress. I I won't list the 24. 337 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:45,360 They're they're in the report. But we've also um highlighted the report so that 338 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:50,240 any matters that have changed since the last time we reported to council are are 339 00:27:47,679 --> 00:27:53,919 highlighted in yellow. So it u for for members of the of the community or for 340 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:57,919 council, you can quickly see what's been updated since the last report. And with 341 00:27:56,080 --> 00:28:01,840 that um happy to answer any questions you may have. 342 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:08,000 questions or comments on this one. We'll go to council 9 and I I guess I'm 343 00:28:05,039 --> 00:28:12,240 affirmative Steve tonight. But um I I would like to uh not a but and I would 344 00:28:10,559 --> 00:28:17,279 like to make an affirmation on this as well. I I really appreciate these charts 345 00:28:14,799 --> 00:28:22,320 and and how it shows uh the work and clearly outlines and things that aren't 346 00:28:19,679 --> 00:28:27,120 done or that have not been completed. It's clearly there. So I appreciate uh 347 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:32,080 you being candid on that and the information. Thank you. 348 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:35,679 » Thank you very much, counselor. And I don't think it's a bad thing that you're 349 00:28:33,360 --> 00:28:38,720 affirming considering when we started this term, we weren't getting these 350 00:28:37,120 --> 00:28:44,080 kinds of reports. So, I think it's good that they're valid and we're providing 351 00:28:41,039 --> 00:28:49,360 that information. Councelor Wilkinson, >> thank you through the chair. um to CEO 352 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:53,679 Wilmer. Um given I know that uh we are approaching 353 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:57,919 maybe the the end of your term sort of heading into next year is is the plan to 354 00:28:55,919 --> 00:29:01,520 sort of accomplish as much of this as possible and prioritize some of those 355 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:07,760 pieces through the the upcoming bud budget process as well 356 00:29:04,559 --> 00:29:13,360 through the mayor in a word. Yes. Uh so u much of this work we believe will be 357 00:29:11,039 --> 00:29:17,679 completed in the calendar year. some projects will carry on through into 27. 358 00:29:16,159 --> 00:29:22,480 And in fact, there's there's a fair number of initiatives in here that that 359 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:26,640 are maybe not so much project based. It is it part of our ongoing work. So, it's 360 00:29:24,559 --> 00:29:30,159 it's work that will continue on. So, I don't know that there's going to be all 361 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:36,399 that many budget implications for this. This is mostly work that's underway that 362 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:41,360 we're doing with in-house resources. >> Any other questions or comments on this 363 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:48,640 council? Okay. Seeing none, all those in favor? And that carries unanimously. 364 00:29:44,799 --> 00:29:53,279 Uh on to 14.3 and this is the budget level of service for management of IT. 365 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:58,320 The recommendation is that this report uh be received for information and that 366 00:29:55,760 --> 00:30:03,600 council refer consideration of managed IT services to the 2027 budget process 367 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:07,440 subject to the provision of a detailed assessment from staff. To get this on 368 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:13,360 the floor, may I have a mover? Moved by councelor Cresman, seconded by councelor 369 00:30:10,399 --> 00:30:18,640 Martin. And I will now turn it over to deputy CEO and director of corporate 370 00:30:15,279 --> 00:30:22,559 services services, not services, Harold [laughter] Accraft. 371 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:26,640 » Thank you, Mayor Salomon. Very briefly, this uh the purpose of this report is 372 00:30:24,559 --> 00:30:30,000 simply as a placeholder to the 2027 budget process, similar to other ones 373 00:30:28,159 --> 00:30:35,840 that you've uh seen over the last number of months. uh to highlight that we did 374 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:43,039 move from a in-house supervisor of IT uh in 2025 to a managed IT service contract 375 00:30:40,159 --> 00:30:48,080 uh in the fall of 2025. Uh that contract is almost at the one-year mark. It was a 376 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:51,440 two-year contract. And so prior to next uh fall, we will need to make a decision 377 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:55,919 whether to continue with the contract and extend it, whether to modify that 378 00:30:53,600 --> 00:31:01,120 contract or whether to bring uh the management of IT services inhouse uh as 379 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:04,000 it was prior to the contract. So it it's simply a placeholder report to identify 380 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:08,480 that that will need to be a consideration. Um we will need to take 381 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:12,720 an action in 2027 and budget accordingly. Hopefully the report at the 382 00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:18,640 budget time will provide you with all the details of pros cons of the managed 383 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:26,120 surface versus in-house and the costing associated with that. 384 00:31:21,919 --> 00:31:26,120 » Questions or comments? Councelor Dunl. 385 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:34,960 » Thank you through Mayor. uh deputy um CEO Okrafka 386 00:31:32,399 --> 00:31:40,000 um when the report comes back have we been able to or we will we be able to 387 00:31:37,519 --> 00:31:46,480 show the different service levels from having it done in house versus having it 388 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:50,600 contracted out >> three yes 389 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:57,679 » councelor Wilkinson >> thank you through the chair to even 390 00:31:55,679 --> 00:32:02,320 piggyback on councelor Dunstall's uh question. I'm I'm wondering if uh even 391 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:06,399 off the top of your head, just for the sake of of folks knowing, has there been 392 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:11,360 any measurable improvements or any deficiencies that you've encountered at 393 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:15,360 all? Even just at a very high level through Mayor Selen and Councelor 394 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:20,960 Wilkinson, I would say there's notable enhancements in our infrastructure 395 00:32:18,159 --> 00:32:24,960 requirements and identifying um best practices that we perhaps hadn't been 396 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:29,919 following. So there's been a number of those highlevel things that that 397 00:32:27,519 --> 00:32:36,480 definitely have been beneficial. At the same time, I would suggest that at a 398 00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:44,080 staff level, the customer service, the in-house aspect of that is probably on 399 00:32:40,720 --> 00:32:48,640 the lower end of of staff expectations. So there's there's a balance. We're 400 00:32:45,679 --> 00:32:53,519 we're getting higherend needs met, but probably the day-to-day it's a bit more 401 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:57,120 of a challenge uh by having only one person in house versus two people in 402 00:32:55,120 --> 00:33:00,880 house, but there's trade-offs and that's that's the trade-off that council will 403 00:32:58,799 --> 00:33:06,880 ultimately need to decide uh what the most important component of that is. 404 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:10,240 » Any other questions or comments on this? >> Council Martin. 405 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:16,080 » Uh through you, Mayor Salin. I I I have noticed with with this contract um the 406 00:33:13,519 --> 00:33:21,360 additional requirements for training. We we on council were also asked to 407 00:33:18,399 --> 00:33:26,960 participate in that uh training and that was comparable to um uh another 408 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:32,880 organization that I work for where they do something very similar and and and so 409 00:33:29,519 --> 00:33:37,120 it seems like that was a a good move. I also know um there was a time I needed 410 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:41,200 some help and I happened to be working late on a Friday night and I was able to 411 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:46,080 make a phone call because of this contract. They have the 24-hour service 412 00:33:43,279 --> 00:33:49,360 that if we have uh full-time staff, we don't have access to that service. 413 00:33:47,679 --> 00:33:52,480 Having said that, when we had two full-time staff, I was very happy with 414 00:33:51,120 --> 00:33:56,559 their work. I'm not in any way complaining about that. But I but I do I 415 00:33:54,799 --> 00:34:01,120 do notice this with the larger structure, the benefits that that can 416 00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:05,840 bring. >> Very good. Any other questions or 417 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:13,200 comments? Seeing none, all those in favor? And that's carried unanimously. 418 00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:19,679 On to 14.4. And this is the zone change application for 148 to 166 Pel Street in 419 00:34:17,119 --> 00:34:23,040 New Hamburg. The recommendation is that this report be received for information 420 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:28,560 and that council approve the zoning change application 07-26 421 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:33,119 as set out in the draft bylaw included as attachment E to this report. to get 422 00:34:31,679 --> 00:34:37,679 this on the floor. May I have a mover, please? Moved by Councelor Sadu, 423 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:42,720 seconded by Councelor Martin. And I will turn it over to Director Martin to 424 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:47,200 introduce this report, please. >> Thank you, Mayor Solomon. Um I'll 425 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:50,639 explain briefly the report. Uh we did have an extensive discussion at the 426 00:34:48,800 --> 00:34:56,800 previous council meeting about this. Um the proposal continues to be the um 427 00:34:53,599 --> 00:35:01,760 adaptive reuse reuse of the uh Hamburg felt boot uh building in New Hamburg. Uh 428 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:04,960 the proposal includes removal of a portion of the rear of the building, 429 00:35:03,119 --> 00:35:12,160 maintaining the three-story kind of heritage piece and reconstructing a uh 430 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:16,000 four to six story edition um in the uh the rear of the building to accommodate 431 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:22,640 uh commercial on the main floor and uh 49 residential um units. Um at the 432 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:27,200 public meeting, the primary discussion points were regarding parking and the 433 00:35:24,640 --> 00:35:32,560 height of the building. Um so since that meeting staff did uh as we promised 434 00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:37,040 would go through and look at the uh the downtown parking availability compared 435 00:35:34,240 --> 00:35:42,720 to what we had noted in the 2016 study uh that we had undertaken. Um and the 436 00:35:40,720 --> 00:35:47,760 consensus in that in that count is that ultimately there was a mild a minor 437 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:51,440 increase of about uh six spaces uh in the core. There were some losses in some 438 00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:55,920 area but uh the increase in parking in the Wilmont Street parking lot was the 439 00:35:53,280 --> 00:36:01,920 primary factor increasing that number. So ultimately um there is still ample 440 00:35:59,839 --> 00:36:07,040 parking available in the core is is the conclusion that we've drawn from that. 441 00:36:03,839 --> 00:36:10,640 Uh as we noted in the 2016 study uh a lot of concerns we hear from people is 442 00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:14,560 proximity right so can you see your destination from where you park and uh 443 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:18,400 that seems to be the ongoing concern when we talk about parking in downtown 444 00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:22,000 New Hampshire. One of the advantages of this application is that you'll be able 445 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:26,240 to see the Wilmont Street parking lot from this redevelopment. So the midpoint 446 00:36:24,720 --> 00:36:30,320 access that's proposed through this redevelopment will have line of sight to 447 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:34,480 the Wilmont lot street parking lot. Um so we anticipate that better utilization 448 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:39,599 of that facility will actually alleviate maybe some parking on Peele Street um 449 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:43,920 that currently accesses the services at Pycom House but certainly will 450 00:36:41,680 --> 00:36:47,200 complement if nothing else. Um so there there continues to be ample parking 451 00:36:45,599 --> 00:36:51,680 available to service the commercial needs. Um from a residential 452 00:36:49,119 --> 00:36:56,480 perspective, the proposal provides one parking space per dwelling unit. Um 453 00:36:54,000 --> 00:37:01,200 which from a staff level, uh we feel is appropriate in this location. Um there 454 00:36:58,720 --> 00:37:06,160 is opportunity for walking to amenity areas. Um and ultimately the owner of 455 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:10,480 the property dictates who lives in the building. So if they [snorts] don't want 456 00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:15,200 to sell or rent a unit to a property owner that has two cars, then they don't 457 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:18,800 need to do that. and it may not be the appropriate place to be located if you 458 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:22,480 do have two cars. So, there is that kind of fall back if we're wrong on our 459 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:26,800 assumptions that the owner owner of the property has the ultimate authority and 460 00:37:24,480 --> 00:37:31,839 opportunity to control. Um, from a height perspective, um staff 461 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:36,800 have noted previously that we feel that the design of this site does complement 462 00:37:34,160 --> 00:37:40,560 the core. um maintaining the current three-story building, having the taller 463 00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:45,599 buildings set back to the midpoint of the property um you know is somewhat 464 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:50,400 reflective of of industry, right? The taller pieces of industrial buildings 465 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:54,800 often were central to those site um evidenced by the taller stack on the 466 00:37:52,240 --> 00:38:00,079 felt boot factory right now. Um so certainly we feel the developer has done 467 00:37:56,960 --> 00:38:04,240 a good job in in u um providing a redevelopment that complements the core. 468 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:08,000 Uh we did circulate the heritage committee and at the previous heritage 469 00:38:05,839 --> 00:38:13,760 meeting uh the the committee did endorse the proposal uh as noted in the report. 470 00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:16,079 Um so we they have indicated they they would like to work with the owner to see 471 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:20,160 if there's pieces that could be reclaimed from from demolition and 472 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:24,400 certainly those conversations continue to happen but the important piece is the 473 00:38:22,320 --> 00:38:27,920 committee to take a perspective on on the uh on the development and we're 474 00:38:26,240 --> 00:38:31,280 supportive. Uh, I will leave my comments at that 475 00:38:30,160 --> 00:38:34,400 because I think those were the primary discussion points previously, but 476 00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:38,720 certainly uh I'm here to answer questions and uh the uh the owners of 477 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:45,880 the property I I believe are also in in attendance as well. 478 00:38:41,440 --> 00:38:45,880 » Uh we'll go to councelor Cresman first. 479 00:38:46,400 --> 00:38:56,079 » Uh through you mayor to director Martin. Uh I was uh looking at the uh drawings 480 00:38:53,760 --> 00:39:02,480 especially of the parking and wondering if uh guests would come in Peele Street 481 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:09,520 whether they could um go across the front of the proposed building uh drop 482 00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:15,520 off passengers and then exit onto Woman Street and park in the Woman Street 483 00:39:12,079 --> 00:39:21,280 parking lot because I was informed by someone this week uh that there wouldn't 484 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:28,320 be exits. It's on uh either side of Jackson Square. So I I could interpret 485 00:39:25,359 --> 00:39:33,520 an exit in one of the drawings, I could not in the other. So I was just 486 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:39,520 wondering whether that was blind on the side uh or whether was accessible to W 487 00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:43,119 Street. uh dear mayor Sal and certainly the 488 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:47,680 design is conceptual at this point but as proposed uh there wouldn't the what 489 00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:54,720 was the Jackson plaza whatever would not have access to Wilmont Street directly 490 00:39:49,760 --> 00:39:58,000 um uh the this the felt boot site uh has two-way traffic so connecting both Pa 491 00:39:56,640 --> 00:40:01,920 and Wilmont Street so you would be able to come through um the plaza would be 492 00:40:00,079 --> 00:40:05,920 disconnected from from Wilmont Street though 493 00:40:03,200 --> 00:40:11,200 » that's mayor that's what I was I guess I understood that the uh Jackson Square on 494 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:15,520 the north side of Jackson Square was not, but I was wondering on the south 495 00:40:13,200 --> 00:40:21,119 side of Jackson Square between that and the felt booth had access and I had the 496 00:40:19,040 --> 00:40:27,920 impression it was and somebody was trying to tell me it didn't. 497 00:40:25,200 --> 00:40:33,760 » Councelor Dunstall, >> thank you, Mayor. And um Director Martin 498 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:38,480 and I have had many many a conversation about this and and uh and I don't think 499 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:43,920 it's a big surprise where I stand on height and and how it impacts um how it 500 00:40:42,240 --> 00:40:48,079 impacts the downtown and how it impacts our skyline. I did also want to mention 501 00:40:46,079 --> 00:40:52,000 that, you know, afterthought and I and I understand that the parking is an issue 502 00:40:49,520 --> 00:40:55,760 and people like to see, you know, uh from the establishment that they go to 503 00:40:53,599 --> 00:41:01,119 where their vehicle is and vice versa, but having been to Kitchener recently um 504 00:40:58,319 --> 00:41:05,119 and having to park in uh an underground parking and then walk several blocks to 505 00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:10,240 where I wanted to go made me realize that it isn't uh quite so bad. So, I 506 00:41:07,119 --> 00:41:15,200 just wanted to share that. >> Thank you, counselor. Any other 507 00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:18,800 questions or comments? Councelor Watson. >> Uh thank you through the chair. Um I 508 00:41:17,520 --> 00:41:22,319 mean we we we've discussed this extensively at the public meeting as 509 00:41:20,319 --> 00:41:26,800 well and and generally very much in favor of what's being proposed here. Um 510 00:41:25,200 --> 00:41:31,280 one point of interest to me was reading the report when it was mentioned that 511 00:41:28,800 --> 00:41:36,319 there would be uh agreements to basically ensure that the parking that 512 00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:42,560 is designated at the 144 Peele Street site um would remain with the the 513 00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:46,240 residential development. So I'm just curious how that will play out given 514 00:41:44,160 --> 00:41:52,560 that it's not necessarily going to be severed as one and and combined. 515 00:41:50,720 --> 00:41:57,040 » Thank you through Mayor S. So there is opportunity through parking agreements 516 00:41:54,319 --> 00:42:01,119 andor site plan agreements to we have I can think of one other example where 517 00:41:58,640 --> 00:42:05,200 we've had site uh parking on an adjacent site through the site plan agreement 518 00:42:03,119 --> 00:42:10,319 registered on both properties. It it tied the use of that parking for for 519 00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:15,119 permanency. So ultimately an agreement registered on each property that says 520 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:19,680 those spaces are available to you know X property uh and then vice versa so that 521 00:42:17,599 --> 00:42:22,640 it it basically ties them together but doesn't force them to merge the 522 00:42:20,880 --> 00:42:27,280 properties together so it it gives that permanency. 523 00:42:25,440 --> 00:42:34,160 » Councelor Stup, >> thank you. Just a comment. Uh overall um 524 00:42:30,319 --> 00:42:39,200 uh I like the project. I I think it's a overall positive investment to our 525 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:44,640 community. I know parking has been uh a hot topic, but every time I've driven by 526 00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:48,880 on Wilmont Street and seen our municipal parking lot, I haven't encountered more 527 00:42:47,119 --> 00:42:54,160 than five, six cars off the top of my head. Um municipal parking is a public 528 00:42:51,680 --> 00:42:59,839 asset and if it's consistently underused, we're we need to support it 529 00:42:56,640 --> 00:43:04,480 by having nearby developments so we we can maximize that investment. And when 530 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:09,760 comparing to other municipalities and downtown cores, whether it be Stratford 531 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:13,280 or Myra, it's a catch 22. We want to have people downtown with the businesses 532 00:43:11,440 --> 00:43:16,480 want to thrive. But a sign of a good downtown is also if 533 00:43:15,200 --> 00:43:19,599 it's thriving and you're not finding good parking or you're not finding 534 00:43:17,839 --> 00:43:25,280 parking, that's a sign of people are down there and they want to be there. 535 00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:29,200 Um, just my own uh self owning a small business in town, having to do 536 00:43:26,720 --> 00:43:33,359 deliveries. I never once had an issue delivering pizzas downtown. 537 00:43:31,599 --> 00:43:39,200 Even if I need to park for a quick 30 seconds to get out and my drivers never 538 00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:43,839 never had an issue, but obviously when you're in a downtown core, it's never 539 00:43:41,359 --> 00:43:48,480 supposed to be easy to find parking, but I'm not necessarily saying it's super 540 00:43:45,440 --> 00:43:52,560 hard either. Um, as far as the the building heights go, I've always been a 541 00:43:50,240 --> 00:43:57,280 proponent of if they are placed in their proper areas, so along regional roads in 542 00:43:55,359 --> 00:44:02,800 the downtown settings. And if done tastefully like this uh uh property is, 543 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:07,040 I think it can be bode well for the township. 544 00:44:05,520 --> 00:44:12,480 » Councelor Dunel. >> Thank you, Mayor. I actually did want to 545 00:44:09,839 --> 00:44:17,200 u just verify with uh Director Martin, and I've had a few people ask me this, 546 00:44:14,079 --> 00:44:22,800 and I'm 99.9% sure that this is correct, but all of the parking spots uh 39 547 00:44:19,920 --> 00:44:26,800 parking spots, whatever it is, 49, they are already owned. They are not 548 00:44:25,119 --> 00:44:33,040 municipal parking spots. They are already owned by the owners of this 549 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:37,119 particular building. Correct. >> That is correct. 550 00:44:34,160 --> 00:44:41,040 » Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments on this? 551 00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:46,240 Counselor Councelor Cresman, >> this is anecdotal, but if you want to go 552 00:44:43,839 --> 00:44:52,720 to a Yankee Stadium and stay in the Bronx, the solution to parking Saturday 553 00:44:49,440 --> 00:44:58,160 night is double parking on the road, even if it's raining. So anyhow, it's 554 00:44:55,920 --> 00:45:03,040 just, you know, >> I'm not certain that we're approving 555 00:44:59,760 --> 00:45:07,801 double parking in downtown New Hampshire, but [laughter] 556 00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:12,319 thank you for the anecdote, counselor. [gasps] 557 00:45:09,440 --> 00:45:16,400 I think everyone has said what they'd like to on this matter. I just want to 558 00:45:14,480 --> 00:45:22,560 say I think this is a really exciting proposal and new chapter um both for the 559 00:45:19,440 --> 00:45:27,200 old felt boot factory and for downtown as we're continuing to see it be 560 00:45:24,160 --> 00:45:32,000 rejuvenated. Um and I think that this is also filling um the call for some people 561 00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:35,920 who want to be able to downsize but remain in Wilmont. I really think that 562 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:40,400 uh the apartment component will speak to that and personally I look forward to 563 00:45:37,760 --> 00:45:44,079 the spa um granted should it be approved and built. So, I just wanted to note 564 00:45:42,720 --> 00:45:48,880 that I think this is a really great investment um for the community and 565 00:45:46,560 --> 00:45:53,760 thank you uh to the owners for bringing it forward. Councelor Martin, Mayor 566 00:45:51,839 --> 00:45:57,839 Salon, it looks like I was the only one that has not made a comment and I didn't 567 00:45:55,839 --> 00:46:03,839 want my silence to be seen as negative. I I I think it's a great project. I'm um 568 00:46:00,960 --> 00:46:07,839 very happy that it's coming. Um I know that there are people concerned about 569 00:46:05,599 --> 00:46:12,000 parking and I'm not in any way trying to reject their comments. As I stated in 570 00:46:10,319 --> 00:46:18,160 the last meeting, I'm happy to continue working with them on that. But thank you 571 00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:21,920 uh to this uh project coming forward. >> With that, I will call the vote all 572 00:46:19,680 --> 00:46:27,680 those in favor. And that carries unanimously. 573 00:46:23,680 --> 00:46:31,760 On to 14.5. And that is the zone change application 06-26 574 00:46:30,079 --> 00:46:36,240 Neville Street, New Hamburg, also known as Tri County Menanite Homes. The 575 00:46:34,640 --> 00:46:39,200 recommendation is that the report be received for information and that 576 00:46:37,760 --> 00:46:45,280 council approve the zone change application to reszone the subject lands 577 00:46:41,760 --> 00:46:50,960 from a zone 4 residential to a zone 11 sorry and zone 11 open space to a zone 578 00:46:47,839 --> 00:46:54,240 12 institutional and zone 11 open space to get this on the floor. May I have a 579 00:46:52,319 --> 00:47:00,400 mover please? Moved by councelor Sadu. Seconded by councelor Cresman and I will 580 00:46:56,560 --> 00:47:04,640 turn it back over to director Martin. >> Uh thank you Mayor Solon. Uh again, this 581 00:47:02,480 --> 00:47:08,240 application was discussed at length the previous uh council meeting at the 582 00:47:06,560 --> 00:47:13,520 public meeting for the application. Um the proposal hasn't changed since then. 583 00:47:10,720 --> 00:47:16,880 Uh it uh proposes to change the zoning of a current zone 4 property which 584 00:47:15,520 --> 00:47:22,000 allows for residential apartment building uh to zone 12 institutional 585 00:47:19,760 --> 00:47:26,079 which would allow for uh a long-term care facility. That's proposed. Um there 586 00:47:24,319 --> 00:47:30,960 were certainly discussions about height uh on the application. Uh zone 12 does 587 00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:35,040 not have a maximum height requirement. So that's why that doesn't appear as 588 00:47:32,640 --> 00:47:39,359 part of the requests in the application. The sideyard setback increases with the 589 00:47:38,160 --> 00:47:43,680 height of a building and in this instance uh the sideyard setback exceeds 590 00:47:42,000 --> 00:47:49,760 what would otherwise be required for a building of the height proposed. Um that 591 00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:53,440 does not uh um leave doesn't say that there isn't an 592 00:47:51,680 --> 00:47:56,880 opportunity for consideration of redesigns through the detailed design of 593 00:47:55,119 --> 00:48:01,200 the property because height isn't being proposed one way or the other with this 594 00:47:58,400 --> 00:48:07,280 application. So it provides flexibility uh to the ultimate design of the site. 595 00:48:03,440 --> 00:48:10,880 Um and uh you know that's generally the way it works with an institutional zone. 596 00:48:09,040 --> 00:48:17,040 We have other properties that uh that that have those same flexibility uh for 597 00:48:13,440 --> 00:48:21,760 for height. Um ultimately the applicant did review opportunities for the site to 598 00:48:19,760 --> 00:48:25,760 look at modifying the footprint of the building uh and based on restrictions 599 00:48:24,559 --> 00:48:32,720 from the Grand River Conservation Authority for slope stability and flood 600 00:48:28,720 --> 00:48:37,520 uh issues on the site. Ultimately, uh there isn't sufficient building envelope 601 00:48:34,480 --> 00:48:42,960 to expand, uh the site and continue to meet the requirements of the province's 602 00:48:39,760 --> 00:48:46,000 long-term care home design manual that talks about residential home areas. So, 603 00:48:44,880 --> 00:48:49,760 there was some discussion about the previous meeting about that. Uh and they 604 00:48:48,240 --> 00:48:54,319 they had evaluated that through the design of the site. So, um, where 605 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:59,599 they're proposing parking, uh, closer to Albert Street, um, ultimately to 606 00:48:58,079 --> 00:49:02,960 continue to provide ample parking for the site, there isn't a building 607 00:49:00,960 --> 00:49:07,440 envelope available on in that area to accommodate, um, kind of a a smaller 608 00:49:05,760 --> 00:49:11,520 building or a shorter building rather with with a bigger footprint. And so, so 609 00:49:09,920 --> 00:49:15,520 the applicant is here to speak to more of those technicalities as necessary. 610 00:49:13,359 --> 00:49:18,640 But it is something that was evaluated through the design and, uh, the 611 00:49:17,280 --> 00:49:23,839 application that's been brought forward is based on that. the work that they've 612 00:49:20,960 --> 00:49:28,640 undertaken to determine availability. Um the parking is more than what's 613 00:49:25,920 --> 00:49:31,839 requirement required for the site but even with reducing the parking it it 614 00:49:30,559 --> 00:49:36,640 doesn't create a new building envelope to support what's needed for the for the 615 00:49:33,680 --> 00:49:42,240 property. So um from a staff perspective uh we feel it is appropriate for the 616 00:49:38,800 --> 00:49:47,680 area. Um we think it is a is good for the community in terms of investment uh 617 00:49:44,480 --> 00:49:53,839 economic development uh job creation and supporting the continuation of of 618 00:49:50,000 --> 00:49:56,319 transition of of uh um uh of life stages in the community right giving 619 00:49:55,040 --> 00:50:01,440 opportunity for people to continue to live in New Hamburg. So um from that 620 00:49:58,880 --> 00:50:06,559 perspective uh we've don't have any concerns and certainly are recommending 621 00:50:03,440 --> 00:50:11,680 approval of the application. >> Thank you. Um, with that we do have one 622 00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:16,000 registered delegate. So I will invite them up to speak and then council can uh 623 00:50:13,599 --> 00:50:20,720 discuss and ask questions after. Our registered delegation is Brian Shots. 624 00:50:18,880 --> 00:50:24,720 Thank you very much Brian for coming today and I believe that you are 625 00:50:22,559 --> 00:50:30,319 representing the applicant. So you will have seven minutes. 626 00:50:28,240 --> 00:50:35,760 » Good evening. I feel I'll be repeating a lot of what uh Mr. Martin has just said, 627 00:50:33,599 --> 00:50:40,160 but I'll go through my notes anyway. I'm Brian Shance with FA Design Studio. 628 00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:44,319 We're located in Waterlue and I'm here as authorized agent for Tri County 629 00:50:41,920 --> 00:50:49,119 Menite Homes who own the property located at Neville and Victoria Streets 630 00:50:46,720 --> 00:50:55,839 in New Hamburg and I'm speaking to that zone change application 06/26. 631 00:50:53,200 --> 00:51:00,160 In the audience is Dr. Steven Harrison who is the CEO of Tri County Menite 632 00:50:57,839 --> 00:51:04,000 Homes. Also, Tri [clears throat] County Menite Homes 633 00:51:01,440 --> 00:51:10,079 is a nonprofit organization. It's been providing needed services in the 634 00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:14,079 township of Wilmont since 1968. Quite some time. Discussions have been 635 00:51:12,319 --> 00:51:19,119 had with township staff along with other commenting agencies related to this 636 00:51:15,920 --> 00:51:22,880 specific project with many usual questions having been considered or 637 00:51:20,800 --> 00:51:26,720 addressed in the previous application that was for a senior's apartment 638 00:51:24,480 --> 00:51:30,480 building. It puts us at a point of eliminating some of the questions when 639 00:51:28,480 --> 00:51:34,559 you come forward at this stage. We have an understanding, staff has an 640 00:51:32,079 --> 00:51:39,839 understanding of how and when and where this can go forward from here. Important 641 00:51:37,599 --> 00:51:44,559 to note that the region of Waterlue, Grand River Conservation Authority, and 642 00:51:42,000 --> 00:51:48,559 Anova have all confirmed they have no concerns with this application. 643 00:51:46,960 --> 00:51:52,720 Township staff are recommending approval, as you've just heard again, of 644 00:51:50,960 --> 00:51:56,079 this application. In addition to many construction jobs 645 00:51:54,480 --> 00:52:01,920 that will be created over four years, Tri County will also be creating between 646 00:51:58,800 --> 00:52:06,400 five and 600 new full-time permanent jobs with this facility in the 647 00:52:04,240 --> 00:52:10,960 community, which is considerable in a community of this size along with other 648 00:52:08,559 --> 00:52:17,119 economic benefits. The application to be decided tonight by 649 00:52:15,280 --> 00:52:23,760 council is to allow construction of a new 224 bed long-term care facility on 650 00:52:20,480 --> 00:52:30,800 this property. In 2019, zoning approval was given for by township council to 651 00:52:27,119 --> 00:52:34,960 construct a 97 an approximately 97 unit seniors apartment on this site. But 652 00:52:33,119 --> 00:52:40,160 since then, the direction of the board of Tri County Menite has taken to focus 653 00:52:37,760 --> 00:52:44,559 more exclusively on senior care facilities. There's a great need. It 654 00:52:42,880 --> 00:52:49,839 should be noted that the current site zoning permits multiple unit residential 655 00:52:46,720 --> 00:52:56,240 uses and the proposed zoning is also for residential use under institutional that 656 00:52:52,240 --> 00:53:02,160 permits the long-term care. This is all that's being applied for. No 657 00:52:58,960 --> 00:53:06,800 other zoning matters require changes to the current zoning township zoning 658 00:53:04,640 --> 00:53:10,400 bylaw. As noted in the township report, this 659 00:53:08,720 --> 00:53:14,640 application meets the current and new official plan requirements. There's a 660 00:53:12,880 --> 00:53:19,119 great need for more of these facilities as a significant percentage of the 661 00:53:16,559 --> 00:53:23,440 population continues to move into the latter stages of life. Tri County 662 00:53:21,520 --> 00:53:27,920 recognize that their current facilities will not meet the demand and as such 663 00:53:26,000 --> 00:53:33,359 this is a wonderful opportunity for Wilmont to add the fac to the facilities 664 00:53:31,119 --> 00:53:38,240 that will allow more senior residents to remain in their own community. 665 00:53:36,160 --> 00:53:43,119 The question is no longer, and I quote this uh from Dr. Harrison, the question 666 00:53:40,960 --> 00:53:48,480 is no longer whether the demand for long-term care will grow. The evidence 667 00:53:46,000 --> 00:53:52,400 demonstrates that it will. The real question is whether communities like 668 00:53:50,079 --> 00:53:57,839 ours will have sufficient, modern, highquality, missiondriven 669 00:53:55,040 --> 00:54:03,200 capacity to meet the need. Investments such as this NIFT view project ensure 670 00:54:00,960 --> 00:54:08,400 that Tri County Manite is prepared to serve the next generation of seniors 671 00:54:05,599 --> 00:54:14,160 while strengthening the sustainability of Ontario's health care system. End 672 00:54:10,880 --> 00:54:18,880 quote. Tri County Menanite and Wilma Township are both fortunate to have been 673 00:54:17,200 --> 00:54:23,920 awarded the bed aotment from the ministry for this use. Not everybody 674 00:54:21,200 --> 00:54:27,359 gets it. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration on this matter and I'm 675 00:54:25,440 --> 00:54:32,000 here to answer any questions that your council may have in this application. 676 00:54:29,920 --> 00:54:35,520 » Thank you very much, Mr. Shots. Are there questions of Mr. Shots while he's 677 00:54:34,079 --> 00:54:38,520 here? We'll go to councelor Dunall first. 678 00:54:38,960 --> 00:54:46,559 » Thank you, Mayor. I'm not sure if you can answer this, Mr. Shots, but there 679 00:54:43,280 --> 00:54:51,680 are um 200 and I know that they touched briefly on this, but there are 253 680 00:54:48,720 --> 00:54:57,040 parking spots. Um, and I know it's easier to go up, but um, I'm just not 681 00:54:54,880 --> 00:55:02,720 quite sure. There was a mention about um, Grand River Conservation and uh, 682 00:54:59,760 --> 00:55:07,440 going out in with the footprint, but I'm just not sure that that has been 683 00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:11,040 answered uh, to my satisfaction because I do have a lot of residents that live 684 00:55:09,280 --> 00:55:15,599 in that area and they're concerned. And please understand that I I I totally 685 00:55:13,280 --> 00:55:19,359 understand the need and the economic uh, benefits. I get all of that uh, with a 686 00:55:18,000 --> 00:55:23,920 mother-in-law who's been waiting over two years. So I understand the 687 00:55:21,760 --> 00:55:29,680 importance but I still have an issue with that height. Um we have four 688 00:55:27,280 --> 00:55:34,400 townships in Wateroo region and I've double checked there isn't one of them 689 00:55:31,440 --> 00:55:40,319 that has a building that's even close to this height. Um and so I I was really 690 00:55:37,680 --> 00:55:43,760 hoping that you would reconsider or there would be something that we could 691 00:55:41,520 --> 00:55:49,280 do not to reduce the beds. I understand that. but to uh widen the footprint so 692 00:55:46,720 --> 00:55:52,920 that we could lower that um height by even one story 693 00:55:53,920 --> 00:56:02,160 » uh through the chair to to counselor. Um we we spoke about this in the last 694 00:55:59,440 --> 00:56:07,520 scenario. Um I want to try to make sure I answer your questions on it. The one 695 00:56:04,400 --> 00:56:13,119 was about height and height uh in other townships. I've been a resident of 696 00:56:09,760 --> 00:56:18,079 Woolwitch Township all my life. Elmmyra currently has a height 697 00:56:15,760 --> 00:56:24,480 provision for eight stories in the downtown area. There has recently been 698 00:56:21,280 --> 00:56:30,000 built um a six-story apartment building within the settlement of Ommyra. Um I 699 00:56:27,760 --> 00:56:34,480 think as we all grapple with what's changing in our society, it takes a 700 00:56:32,079 --> 00:56:40,160 little time to adjust to the fact of intensification versus sprawl. Uh this 701 00:56:38,079 --> 00:56:45,839 community is well aware about concerns about farmland. So this is one way that 702 00:56:42,960 --> 00:56:50,559 with the anticipated growth within a community going up is the choice and 703 00:56:48,240 --> 00:56:55,440 repurposing of buildings is the choice versus sprawling wider. So in this 704 00:56:53,359 --> 00:57:00,079 particular application as I explained in the last meeting 705 00:56:57,359 --> 00:57:06,000 the residential housing areas the 32 beds which is basically mandated um by 706 00:57:03,359 --> 00:57:10,640 the province and is the only efficient way to make it work from a staffing and 707 00:57:08,319 --> 00:57:16,640 administration standpoint. um that is what is taking us and and 708 00:57:13,920 --> 00:57:22,319 putting the number of stories on top of it. So the ground floor is in fact for 709 00:57:19,920 --> 00:57:28,880 the services for all of the building. The the basement, the lower level, 710 00:57:24,960 --> 00:57:34,960 that's this the background and and um staffing areas in this particular case. 711 00:57:31,440 --> 00:57:40,559 And then rising from level 2 to 8 is the actual residential housing areas times 712 00:57:37,520 --> 00:57:45,440 32, which gets to your 224 for the number of beds. This is this is the 713 00:57:43,440 --> 00:57:52,079 minimum optimum thing that we're looking at. And I might add that um while it's 714 00:57:48,160 --> 00:57:57,440 not Wilmont um there is a proposal that isn't formalized yet and I'm not part of 715 00:57:54,799 --> 00:58:03,040 it but there's a similar application to my understanding that is forward coming 716 00:57:59,200 --> 00:58:07,359 in one of the other townships also. So 717 00:58:04,960 --> 00:58:13,599 we can't reduce we can't put it beside you spoke about 718 00:58:10,559 --> 00:58:18,319 the number of parking we exceed zoning minimums for parking and I tell all my 719 00:58:16,160 --> 00:58:23,200 clients for as you can tell by the white hair a lot of years zoning requirements 720 00:58:20,960 --> 00:58:27,520 for parking is minimums it doesn't mean it operates functionally so in this 721 00:58:25,680 --> 00:58:32,400 particular case with the staffing changes and multiple shifts they are 722 00:58:29,920 --> 00:58:37,040 staffed 24 hours a day you need to accomplish acccomodate your staff 723 00:58:33,680 --> 00:58:42,160 arriving before the other staff leave. So that creates more what we've shown 724 00:58:39,440 --> 00:58:46,240 with the 253 spaces that'll be fine-tuned through the site plan process 725 00:58:44,160 --> 00:58:51,040 and working with staff. We're not anticipating more if we can have less 726 00:58:48,960 --> 00:58:55,440 and still make sure we operate without having people parking on the uh street. 727 00:58:54,079 --> 00:59:00,520 Staff here would like to see their destination too as they've heard from 728 00:58:56,960 --> 00:59:00,520 the previous application. 729 00:59:01,280 --> 00:59:06,559 Councelor Dunstall again. >> Thank you. Um, and I did want to make a 730 00:59:04,960 --> 00:59:10,960 comment, but I don't want to hold him up. So, I will hold that um in case 731 00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:16,319 anyone else needs to speak. >> Okay. And yes, we'll go for questions 732 00:59:12,880 --> 00:59:19,920 for Mr. Shons first and then um we can go back to questions for staff and 733 00:59:18,079 --> 00:59:28,559 comment in general. Councelor Crestman moves first and then councelor Dens. 734 00:59:22,559 --> 00:59:34,880 » Uh through you, mayor. Uh to uh Mr. Sh. uh the 32 is the common the common 735 00:59:32,079 --> 00:59:41,440 number and it as I understand it and I again my knowledge base is Winston Park 736 00:59:38,000 --> 00:59:47,200 because uh my father-in-law was was in there and they have a hub in the center 737 00:59:44,400 --> 00:59:54,079 and the cafeteria and then they go out down down the halls and and in a wing 738 00:59:51,200 --> 01:00:01,280 type of format and again it creates efficiencies and each one tends to be a 739 00:59:57,359 --> 01:00:08,160 community name in Wilma Township uh as if I'm using the Winston Park approach. 740 01:00:04,079 --> 01:00:15,920 And the idea is [snorts] to have as many uh residents u uh aging uh in a facility 741 01:00:13,040 --> 01:00:22,160 close to to their home community as possible with familiarity with names 742 01:00:19,440 --> 01:00:29,396 that that that can resonate with them. And so, um, I look around the horseshoe 743 01:00:26,400 --> 01:00:35,359 here and I'm likely the one closest [laughter] to the to the age bracket 744 01:00:32,079 --> 01:00:40,640 that is is going to be looking for that type of service. And and unfortunately, 745 01:00:38,480 --> 01:00:48,240 there wasn't a spot available in New Hamburg when either of my parents 746 01:00:43,119 --> 01:00:53,440 required it. Um and so I guess the I you know all of us wish we can age in place 747 01:00:50,640 --> 01:00:59,680 at home but when the time comes depending on our uh medical uh 748 01:00:56,480 --> 01:01:05,119 challenges we would hope there's an opportunity if both of us as a couple 749 01:01:02,880 --> 01:01:11,280 walk in the front door. there's an opportunity for us to be at least in 750 01:01:08,720 --> 01:01:17,440 close proximity to one another that we don't have to drive 250 up to 250 751 01:01:14,400 --> 01:01:24,640 kilometers to a separate facility to visit a loved one and looking at the 752 01:01:20,960 --> 01:01:30,960 data in Ottawa um uh two presentations 753 01:01:28,880 --> 01:01:37,359 the waiting list that currently is existing and the projection of the 754 01:01:34,480 --> 01:01:44,400 curve. It isn't flattening down or going down with the baby boom generation. It's 755 01:01:40,880 --> 01:01:51,119 accelerating to 2050. There is going to be an extended need for facilities. And 756 01:01:48,160 --> 01:01:57,040 if we can provide those to people who built this community over time, I think 757 01:01:54,240 --> 01:02:02,079 it's a service well rendered. So maybe that's a comment rather than a question. 758 01:01:59,359 --> 01:02:05,839 I apologize, but I'm pretty passionate about this. 759 01:02:03,839 --> 01:02:08,640 Thank you, councelor. Councelor Wilkinson, was this a question for Mr. 760 01:02:07,440 --> 01:02:12,480 Shant? >> Thank you through the chair. Um, I will 761 01:02:11,119 --> 01:02:16,160 I mean, there's a lot that's already been said and I echo uh the same 762 01:02:14,240 --> 01:02:21,440 sentiments and thoughts as my colleague councelor Dunstall. I think I said it 763 01:02:19,200 --> 01:02:25,760 before and ultimately it it really comes down to the eight stories is the the 764 01:02:23,119 --> 01:02:30,880 biggest issue for me. I I I want the beds. I want the jobs. I want the tax 765 01:02:27,920 --> 01:02:36,240 revenue. I want to see the the long-term care opportunities for local residents 766 01:02:33,119 --> 01:02:39,520 and and everyone. Um but ultimately it's just looking at the scale of the 767 01:02:37,599 --> 01:02:45,440 building and and I I feel it's going to be um out of place as proposed and and I 768 01:02:42,960 --> 01:02:49,920 know you mentioned the design requires this and and you can't change it. Uh I 769 01:02:48,640 --> 01:02:54,400 would say that's a great challenge for this community and region as a whole to 770 01:02:52,000 --> 01:02:58,079 take on. I'm sure if we really tapped into the right areas, we'd be able to to 771 01:02:56,480 --> 01:03:04,319 come up with something that may be agreeable. But my 772 01:03:01,200 --> 01:03:08,240 my general um thought on this is that I'm very much in favor of what you're 773 01:03:05,920 --> 01:03:14,400 trying to do. I will definitely be in favor of the zoning change, but I'm just 774 01:03:10,319 --> 01:03:18,799 asking please find a way if we can to uh lower the the the height down to six 775 01:03:17,200 --> 01:03:22,880 stories and and make it more agreeable with what the rest of the community 776 01:03:20,160 --> 01:03:26,799 looks like. Um, my only fear is that approving eight stories here means the 777 01:03:24,559 --> 01:03:32,240 next one's going to be 10 to 12 or whatever it happens to be. I don't want 778 01:03:28,640 --> 01:03:37,200 to get into that at all. So, um, more more so a comment really no question. 779 01:03:34,319 --> 01:03:43,680 Just please try and find a way if possible. 780 01:03:39,920 --> 01:03:47,200 » Any other questions for Mr. Sha? Okay, I'm not seeing any. Thank you 781 01:03:45,280 --> 01:03:51,839 again very much, Mr. Sha, for joining us this evening. Um, now I can open it up 782 01:03:49,839 --> 01:03:55,359 for council if you have questions of staff or comments in general. Councelor 783 01:03:54,240 --> 01:04:00,160 Duntol. >> Thank you, Mayor. And again, please 784 01:03:57,119 --> 01:04:07,839 understand I I am really uh supportive of this uh and I and I get the need 785 01:04:03,039 --> 01:04:12,000 perhaps this is for director um Andrew, director Martin, 786 01:04:10,240 --> 01:04:16,559 having an eightstory building and I think it's nine stories when you're with 787 01:04:14,000 --> 01:04:20,720 the elevation changes. Um, what does that do for someone who comes in here 788 01:04:19,039 --> 01:04:26,480 and wants to put in an apartment? I understand that um zoned for 789 01:04:24,400 --> 01:04:32,319 institutional has no height limit. I get that. But do we run into an issue uh 790 01:04:29,440 --> 01:04:36,160 with the OOLT um with someone coming in and saying you're stopping me from 791 01:04:34,160 --> 01:04:41,760 building an eighth story when you already have an eighthtory building um 792 01:04:39,599 --> 01:04:46,160 in your township? Is that something that we're going to run into? because Lord 793 01:04:43,520 --> 01:04:50,720 knows we don't need a whole bunch of not 8ft sorry eightstory buildings. You 794 01:04:49,039 --> 01:04:54,720 know, one of the things that people said uh when we did the strategic plan was 795 01:04:52,640 --> 01:04:58,079 they said it was important to keep the rural field. They were very adamant 796 01:04:56,400 --> 01:05:02,160 about that. And again, we're not looking at sprawl here. We would not look at I I 797 01:05:00,400 --> 01:05:07,599 would never suggest that. So So suggesting that, you know, we don't do 798 01:05:03,760 --> 01:05:13,280 sprawl, we go up 100%. Yes. But that that that wasn't the case here. I mean, 799 01:05:09,440 --> 01:05:16,720 the land is there. It's yours. Um but uh director Martin if you could answer that 800 01:05:14,960 --> 01:05:21,039 question for me please and then I will not speak on this again. I will just 801 01:05:18,319 --> 01:05:25,680 vote. Thank you. >> All right. Three Mayor Solen. Um so a 802 01:05:23,280 --> 01:05:29,599 couple of points there. Um we have had discussions about this and ultimately 803 01:05:27,839 --> 01:05:34,000 one decision doesn't mean that the next one is looked at equally like it's um 804 01:05:32,079 --> 01:05:38,319 there discuss discussion needs to occur on the merits of the application and the 805 01:05:35,599 --> 01:05:43,200 location. Um, we did introduce policies within the new official plan that uh, 806 01:05:40,799 --> 01:05:47,760 council adopted uh, that do have provisions in there that speak to seven 807 01:05:45,119 --> 01:05:51,039 stories and above. The process by which you would need to go through to justify 808 01:05:49,440 --> 01:05:56,400 it makes sense. So, we have included additional language for applications 809 01:05:53,280 --> 01:06:01,119 going forward. Um, in terms of what may happen at the OOLT, I would expect that 810 01:05:59,200 --> 01:06:04,000 uh, the OOLT probably won't be concerned about what's happened already. they 811 01:06:02,480 --> 01:06:08,960 would probably suggest that eight stories isn't that tall and to prove it. 812 01:06:06,240 --> 01:06:12,400 Um, but regardless of that, it was when it comes to planning decisions, they're 813 01:06:10,640 --> 01:06:16,720 technically not precedent setting. So, they have to every application has to be 814 01:06:14,480 --> 01:06:21,760 to consider upon its in own individual merits. So, in theory, if the OOLT is 815 01:06:19,359 --> 01:06:24,880 considering an application, they may look at what's in the area and what's 816 01:06:23,200 --> 01:06:29,039 been approved before, but technically a decision that's made in one case uh is 817 01:06:27,520 --> 01:06:34,400 doesn't mean that the same decision has to be made in the second case. So there 818 01:06:31,680 --> 01:06:38,880 is there is uh no suggestion that because this is approved that uh should 819 01:06:36,960 --> 01:06:42,480 someone make an application it's not approved it would go go to the OOLT that 820 01:06:41,039 --> 01:06:46,960 would automatically happen because of that. Um but it could influence a 821 01:06:45,440 --> 01:06:52,480 decision for sure. But what I my suggestion is that it in in the scope of 822 01:06:50,799 --> 01:06:56,880 height and densities eight stories probably isn't um when we're dealing 823 01:06:54,960 --> 01:07:00,960 with an OOLT decision wouldn't be considered a tall building. Um so I I 824 01:06:59,200 --> 01:07:06,640 don't expect that uh that would really come up as a concern in that. Um but 825 01:07:04,000 --> 01:07:10,640 ultimately short story long the answer is any decision made here doesn't 826 01:07:08,799 --> 01:07:17,200 automatically may mean that the same decision is made in another location. 827 01:07:15,119 --> 01:07:23,520 » Councelor Wilkinson. >> Thank you through the chair. Um looking 828 01:07:19,440 --> 01:07:26,559 at Chief Pipe question for you. Um, and this is before your time, but there's 829 01:07:25,280 --> 01:07:30,480 been fire trucks that have been discussed for a long period of time. I'm 830 01:07:28,480 --> 01:07:33,839 curious, a building of this height, how does this affect your department and 831 01:07:31,920 --> 01:07:41,079 what's required on your end to uh satisfy the safety and other concerns? 832 01:07:37,359 --> 01:07:41,079 » Uh, through the mayor, 833 01:07:41,599 --> 01:07:46,799 one of the things I need to comment on is uh there are high buildings 834 01:07:44,880 --> 01:07:51,599 throughout the province and a lot of places don't have aerial devices that'll 835 01:07:48,720 --> 01:07:57,119 reach the top of their high buildings. We do need an elevated device as a 836 01:07:54,000 --> 01:08:00,880 municipality. Um, and I can give you a lot of really good reasons why we do, 837 01:07:59,440 --> 01:08:06,039 but we don't limit the height of our buildings based on the height of our 838 01:08:02,480 --> 01:08:06,039 elevated device. 839 01:08:06,640 --> 01:08:15,280 » Any other questions or comments, council? Councelor Sto, 840 01:08:12,160 --> 01:08:20,400 » thank you. Um, I've been debating this in my mind. Um, I've had a conversation 841 01:08:17,920 --> 01:08:24,239 with some residents who flat out told me, "You better approve this. I don't 842 01:08:22,239 --> 01:08:28,880 care how tall it is or how big it's going to be." Um, I did have the 843 01:08:27,120 --> 01:08:33,520 conversation with them saying, "Listen, it doesn't guarantee that if it is built 844 01:08:31,839 --> 01:08:38,159 here that you get to stay here, but they understand that." Um, overall, I think 845 01:08:36,080 --> 01:08:44,400 it is a it's a project that we need. It's it helps uh 846 01:08:40,719 --> 01:08:49,839 uh bring in jobs uh for subcontractors, etc., and ongoing. So, I don't know if 847 01:08:48,159 --> 01:08:53,920 the building height, and I do sympathize with the building height, and I do 848 01:08:52,480 --> 01:08:58,960 understand that it could be potentially a slippery slope, but I don't know if 849 01:08:56,319 --> 01:09:05,839 that is enough for me to vote down this uh report just because of the good it 850 01:09:01,839 --> 01:09:11,120 brings. Um, I hope there is potentially a compromise in the site select or site 851 01:09:08,400 --> 01:09:17,199 planning phase where maybe if we can get it uh one story lower or rejig it 852 01:09:14,400 --> 01:09:23,759 somehow, but uh at this moment in time, I would be in favor of it. 853 01:09:21,440 --> 01:09:30,799 » We'll go to councelor Martin >> through Mayor Salon. Um I echo councelor 854 01:09:27,520 --> 01:09:36,000 Sadu's comments. I I have uh residents telling me that uh it's a good thing. 855 01:09:34,159 --> 01:09:40,319 I've said that some people are concerned about the height and they're very 856 01:09:37,920 --> 01:09:44,319 surprised by that, wondering why people would be concerned about the height. I 857 01:09:42,480 --> 01:09:48,960 realize councelor Wilkinson and councelor Dunl are talking to people 858 01:09:46,239 --> 01:09:53,040 that are opposed to the height and there are people in the township who are not 859 01:09:50,480 --> 01:09:57,760 opposed to the height. Uh so I personally think it's a good thing. 860 01:09:55,679 --> 01:10:05,040 » Council Gresman. >> Yes. through you, mayor. And maybe I was 861 01:10:00,640 --> 01:10:12,400 remissed not asking the question uh when Mr. Sh was at the podium, but it's my 862 01:10:08,480 --> 01:10:20,560 understanding the current uh NITW home is going to be redeveloped into some 863 01:10:15,360 --> 01:10:27,040 type of apartments and uh and the 160 beds are going to be the long-term care. 864 01:10:24,320 --> 01:10:36,560 And then with this add additional facility, it becomes an integrated 865 01:10:30,560 --> 01:10:43,199 uh facility where hopefully um couples can walk in the front door and then as 866 01:10:39,840 --> 01:10:48,320 they age, and this happened with my father-in-law and mother-in-law, as they 867 01:10:45,679 --> 01:10:56,960 age, one required long-term care, the other didn't. And currently the the 868 01:10:52,159 --> 01:11:04,719 environment is such that uh they have they may be placed uh a distance apart. 869 01:11:01,199 --> 01:11:11,120 In my uh in-laws case, they had been at Fairview in in Cambridge. Uh my 870 01:11:08,080 --> 01:11:19,360 mother-in-law got placed in Kitner and at 88 my father-in-law drove every day 871 01:11:15,040 --> 01:11:25,360 to see her uh from uh Cambridge to Kitchener till she passed. So I guess I 872 01:11:23,120 --> 01:11:29,440 guess I look at this and say we have people who've decided to retire in 873 01:11:27,840 --> 01:11:34,080 Morningside. We have people who decided to retire in 874 01:11:32,320 --> 01:11:40,719 Stonecraftoft. uh and uh if one of them requires uh 875 01:11:38,800 --> 01:11:46,159 long-term care, this gives them an opportunity. 876 01:11:42,239 --> 01:11:51,280 Um if they both uh uh choose to downsize, they may go through the 877 01:11:48,400 --> 01:11:57,120 Cresman facility initially and then on to an apartment at NIT view and then uh 878 01:11:54,960 --> 01:12:02,880 eventually if one requires long-term care, you have an integrated system that 879 01:12:00,080 --> 01:12:10,400 hopefully with the additional beds will give them an opportunity here. So to my 880 01:12:06,640 --> 01:12:14,640 mind to have these additional beds to have the opportunity of having an 881 01:12:12,880 --> 01:12:22,560 integrated system. One of the first questions I asked at AMO in London years 882 01:12:18,960 --> 01:12:29,120 ago was this isn't rocket science. If you walk in the front door as a couple, 883 01:12:25,760 --> 01:12:38,080 it should be the goal to make sure that you can both age in place depending on 884 01:12:32,480 --> 01:12:44,560 your needs as a couple. And uh so I guess that's why I'm strongly in favor 885 01:12:41,199 --> 01:12:49,600 and I'm celebrating the opportunity uh that we have a nonprofit that's coming 886 01:12:47,199 --> 01:12:54,080 forward to take the lead on a project like this. 887 01:12:51,920 --> 01:12:58,159 Thank you, councelor. Um, I know a lot of that was a comment, but you did kind 888 01:12:55,840 --> 01:13:02,480 of have a question about beds. It would be up to council's discretion because we 889 01:13:00,560 --> 01:13:06,239 technically need to wave the procedural bylaw, but Dr. Harrison, who is the 890 01:13:04,480 --> 01:13:11,280 executive director, is in the audience and could probably speak to your 891 01:13:07,760 --> 01:13:17,120 question about the old beds. Um, but again, I'm in council's hands as to if 892 01:13:13,280 --> 01:13:23,199 you want to allow him to come up. Um, is there anyone opposed to that? 893 01:13:20,719 --> 01:13:29,960 No. Okay, with that, Dr. Harrison, not to put you on the spot, but if you'd 894 01:13:26,320 --> 01:13:29,960 like to speak to that. 895 01:13:30,320 --> 01:13:37,840 » Thank you, Mayor. Uh, never on the spot. Um, 896 01:13:35,600 --> 01:13:41,280 the board of directors hasn't decided, hasn't come up with a final decision on 897 01:13:39,520 --> 01:13:45,360 what we're going to do with the current NITU long-term care beds and the 898 01:13:42,960 --> 01:13:48,320 building that's there. Uh, we have determined a couple of things. One is 899 01:13:46,800 --> 01:13:52,800 that we're not tearing it down. It will be repurposed. We have invested in it 900 01:13:50,320 --> 01:13:57,679 over the last 10 years or so to ensure its engineering stability and you know 901 01:13:56,159 --> 01:14:03,280 the building has a lot of life left in it. So we're going to make sure we do 902 01:13:58,880 --> 01:14:09,600 that. To your comment about um couples living together or we call it a campus 903 01:14:06,000 --> 01:14:13,199 of care. Um it's okay. This is my world so I can use that language. Um the 904 01:14:11,440 --> 01:14:17,520 campus of care model we already have on the site. So we have independent living. 905 01:14:15,040 --> 01:14:23,679 Uh we have independent living both in an apartment and in a tower as well as in 906 01:14:20,560 --> 01:14:27,679 um town homes and uh sixplexes already on the site. Independent living is just 907 01:14:25,840 --> 01:14:31,360 what it sounds like. It is housing for seniors. It has very limited services. 908 01:14:29,840 --> 01:14:34,480 They are welcome to join us for meals and be part of programming that's going 909 01:14:32,880 --> 01:14:38,080 on, but generally it's like renting an apartment. We also have a retirement 910 01:14:36,239 --> 01:14:42,159 home living and currently in our retirement home we have partners of 911 01:14:40,560 --> 01:14:46,159 individuals who are living in long-term care. So to your point, there is no 912 01:14:44,239 --> 01:14:49,840 kilometers to be driven. There are steps to be taken down a air conditioner 913 01:14:48,000 --> 01:14:54,400 heated hallway and you can spend time with your loved one. What we're looking 914 01:14:52,000 --> 01:14:59,600 to do is to continue to expand that model on our campus. It it's in my mind, 915 01:14:57,840 --> 01:15:05,440 my personal opinion, it is probably one of the best models of senior supports 916 01:15:01,760 --> 01:15:10,000 and care that you can have. Um and in addition to that, the green space that 917 01:15:07,360 --> 01:15:14,960 is down behind the building is uh down in the valley behind is a wonderful 918 01:15:12,320 --> 01:15:20,080 space for residents to view into enjoy the wildlife that's there, but also to 919 01:15:17,679 --> 01:15:24,080 um coll we're working collaboratively with the township on a couple of 920 01:15:21,760 --> 01:15:27,840 different ideas for creating walking pathways through there, not only for our 921 01:15:26,159 --> 01:15:33,679 residents, although it's on private land, but certainly opening it up for 922 01:15:29,679 --> 01:15:38,880 the community to enjoy. Um my desperate plea to everyone that I 923 01:15:36,800 --> 01:15:43,520 speak to is that uh when you see a long-term care home or you see a 924 01:15:40,320 --> 01:15:47,440 senior's care community, uh it is not a place to avoid. It is a place to 925 01:15:45,199 --> 01:15:50,960 embrace. It is a place to come to. It is a place to make part of your journey. 926 01:15:49,360 --> 01:15:55,760 Not just the destination, but part of where you go to. And our residents love 927 01:15:53,199 --> 01:15:59,600 it. have um child care groups in the area that come walking through our areas 928 01:15:57,360 --> 01:16:04,719 to talk to our seniors and use the paths that we have currently. We hope to 929 01:16:02,159 --> 01:16:10,480 expand that. So, the model of care that we're looking to implement on that 930 01:16:06,480 --> 01:16:15,040 campus is um expanding due to long-term care needs, but with the emphasis on 931 01:16:13,280 --> 01:16:18,400 more than just long-term care. It is about engagement with the community and 932 01:16:16,719 --> 01:16:22,159 bringing the community in as well as allowing our residents to go out into 933 01:16:20,159 --> 01:16:25,040 the community which they belong to. Thanks. 934 01:16:23,120 --> 01:16:27,760 » Thank you very much, Dr. Harrison. I do think Councelor Crestman has a question 935 01:16:26,400 --> 01:16:30,560 for you now that you're at the podium, though. 936 01:16:28,159 --> 01:16:37,120 » To that end, I believe on the 18th of September, you have a barbecue that we 937 01:16:33,520 --> 01:16:40,960 as council have been invited to to uh your facility. I saw it in my inbox 938 01:16:39,760 --> 01:16:45,280 today. So, >> you would have seen that. Yes. So, um 939 01:16:43,040 --> 01:16:49,280 thank you for that. Uh, and this is not a promotional plug, but on the 18th of 940 01:16:47,199 --> 01:16:52,960 September, uh, long-term care homes across Ontario are actually celebrating 941 01:16:51,280 --> 01:16:56,400 what we call long-term care day. And it is an opportunity for anyone, 942 01:16:54,640 --> 01:17:00,800 counselors, anyone in the in the audience, staff to come out and see all 943 01:16:59,120 --> 01:17:05,600 the wonderful things that we do at our home. Um, the details of what is being 944 01:17:04,239 --> 01:17:08,640 planned have not been shared with me, but it sounds like there's going to be a 945 01:17:06,719 --> 01:17:12,719 barbecue, so that sounds like fun. Um, but it is an opportunity to come out and 946 01:17:10,400 --> 01:17:18,640 engage and and see the new building that's going on right now. Get a idea of 947 01:17:15,440 --> 01:17:20,880 what's coming and that's only 10 11 months from now. We're supposed to be 948 01:17:19,760 --> 01:17:24,960 opening that building up. So, we're looking forward to that. And then, uh, 949 01:17:23,360 --> 01:17:29,600 engage with the seniors who live there. So, yes, keep your calendars open on the 950 01:17:27,040 --> 01:17:34,000 18th if you can. >> Thank you very much. The only thing I'll 951 01:17:32,239 --> 01:17:38,080 warn folks, if you've never had apple pie with cheddar cheese, um, the 952 01:17:36,400 --> 01:17:42,640 residents will probably make you at least try it. That was my experience at 953 01:17:40,560 --> 01:17:46,400 the last community engagement. >> Yes. 954 01:17:44,480 --> 01:17:52,239 » Thank you very much, Dr. Harrison. >> Wow. 955 01:17:48,640 --> 01:17:56,400 » There you go. [laughter and gasps] Um, any other questions or comments on the 956 01:17:54,239 --> 01:18:01,120 zoning change application before us right now? Okay. I'm not seeing any 957 01:17:59,120 --> 01:18:07,520 more. I did just want to add some of my own final comments. Um I think this is a 958 01:18:05,199 --> 01:18:13,120 really exciting opportunity for the community for many of the reasons that 959 01:18:09,360 --> 01:18:17,920 council and delegates have expressed. I also think a really unique part and why 960 01:18:15,920 --> 01:18:22,480 I would justify this over any eightstory building 961 01:18:20,320 --> 01:18:30,080 because I'm not a huge fan of heights either um in terms of for planning um in 962 01:18:27,520 --> 01:18:36,640 our community. But we already well not we uh Tri County Menanite already has 963 01:18:32,880 --> 01:18:41,040 the beds approved and that is huge. Um when we talk to colleagues across the 964 01:18:38,719 --> 01:18:46,000 province they are desperately trying to get beds and I think it would be a huge 965 01:18:43,760 --> 01:18:50,239 missed opportunity when we already have a community partner who works in the 966 01:18:48,640 --> 01:18:55,199 community wants to expand on their campus of care and has the approved beds 967 01:18:52,719 --> 01:18:58,239 if we didn't approve this zoning because they're going to need to use their beds. 968 01:18:56,719 --> 01:19:02,400 that's tied to provincial dollars and funding. Um, so they're going to have to 969 01:19:00,560 --> 01:19:07,440 go somewhere and I certainly personally would rather see them in Wilmont. I also 970 01:19:04,880 --> 01:19:12,800 think as well the fact that they came forward um showing what the proposal was 971 01:19:11,040 --> 01:19:16,400 although it was only a zone change that they were seeking and as we know in in 972 01:19:14,719 --> 01:19:23,199 institutional zoning we don't have a height limit. Um, I think that that is 973 01:19:19,120 --> 01:19:26,880 really the uh partnership building and uh thoughtful growth that at least I'm 974 01:19:25,199 --> 01:19:30,880 looking for in our community. And I know that also they hosted um public 975 01:19:29,280 --> 01:19:35,440 consultation with the residents as we're aware because that was in the original 976 01:19:32,239 --> 01:19:40,080 report um to inform the potentially impacted residents around. I really 977 01:19:38,239 --> 01:19:45,520 think when we talk about aging in place and healthy whole communities, this is 978 01:19:42,320 --> 01:19:49,040 one step in that direction. Um, but also I can see this as completely different 979 01:19:47,360 --> 01:19:53,760 than somebody coming and asking for an eight-story building that's an apartment 980 01:19:51,040 --> 01:19:58,800 building. Um, even just in the use of it, there aren't going to be patios 981 01:19:55,440 --> 01:20:03,360 looking out on neighbors yards or anything as um, a long-term care 982 01:20:01,280 --> 01:20:07,360 facility. It will just be windows in the building. Um, and I think a lot of the 983 01:20:05,840 --> 01:20:12,239 things that people are concerned about can be discussed in the detailed design 984 01:20:09,840 --> 01:20:16,560 phase as well. Um, so I'm personally very supportive of this and think it's a 985 01:20:14,560 --> 01:20:20,159 really great opportunity. Also, pending that it gets approved. I look forward to 986 01:20:18,159 --> 01:20:26,080 seeing this uh happen for our community. Plus, 5 to 600 new full-time permanent 987 01:20:22,880 --> 01:20:29,920 jobs um is huge for a community like ours, especially when uh I think many of 988 01:20:28,400 --> 01:20:35,679 us and our residents don't want to see us become bedroom communities. 989 01:20:32,320 --> 01:20:40,719 Um, with that, I don't see any other questions or comments. So, I will call 990 01:20:37,840 --> 01:20:46,560 the vote. All those in favor and that carries unanimously. 991 01:20:43,440 --> 01:20:53,199 Um, now I did notice I believe our delegate from item 992 01:20:50,239 --> 01:21:01,679 13.3 um has arrived 993 01:20:56,640 --> 01:21:06,800 and that is uh Ro um Durgo. So, I just want to let you know, Ro, we 994 01:21:03,760 --> 01:21:11,120 did already council did pass um the item that you were coming to speak on, but 995 01:21:08,880 --> 01:21:15,120 you are absolutely still welcome to speak if you would like to. I'm happy to 996 01:21:12,800 --> 01:21:20,880 give you your time. >> Okay. Thank you. Um for those online, 997 01:21:18,800 --> 01:21:24,560 he's declined his opportunity to speak, but you are of course welcome to reach 998 01:21:22,560 --> 01:21:27,840 out to council as well um if you have any further correspondence you'd like to 999 01:21:26,239 --> 01:21:35,280 share with us. >> Okay. Thank you. Um on to item 14.6 1000 01:21:33,360 --> 01:21:40,080 and councelor Cresman does have a conflict. So just noting that uh the 1001 01:21:37,920 --> 01:21:45,360 recommendation is that this report on the zone change application 05-26 Grich 1002 01:21:43,440 --> 01:21:48,480 Road in Ben uh be received for information and that 1003 01:21:47,040 --> 01:21:53,120 council approve the zone change application as set out in the draft 1004 01:21:50,320 --> 01:21:57,760 bylaw included as attachment B to the report. To get this on the floor, may I 1005 01:21:55,120 --> 01:22:02,560 have a mover, please? Moved by councelor Martin, seconded by councelor Sadu, and 1006 01:22:00,719 --> 01:22:07,120 I will turn it back over to director Martin to present this report. 1007 01:22:05,600 --> 01:22:11,760 » Uh, thank you, Mayor Solen. Very briefly, uh, this application proposes 1008 01:22:09,360 --> 01:22:14,880 to change the zoning of lands that are already designated in the current 1009 01:22:13,040 --> 01:22:19,040 official plan for employment purposes. Uh, this is the next step in uh, 1010 01:22:17,199 --> 01:22:23,280 facilitating development of employment lands. Um, there was a delay from the 1011 01:22:21,440 --> 01:22:26,480 time of designation to the zoning to allow for some of the work that was 1012 01:22:24,400 --> 01:22:31,120 occurring on Gingrich Road. uh the twinning of a storm sewer under the road 1013 01:22:28,480 --> 01:22:35,600 allowed for um alterations to the flood limits on this site which uh optimizes 1014 01:22:33,440 --> 01:22:38,480 the development opportunity. So uh once that work was completed, they then 1015 01:22:36,960 --> 01:22:43,600 proceeded with the zoning application before you uh and staff are recommending 1016 01:22:41,440 --> 01:22:49,080 approval. >> Thank you very much. Questions or 1017 01:22:45,280 --> 01:22:49,080 comments on this one, council? 1018 01:22:49,199 --> 01:22:58,560 Councelor Wilkinson, is that a hand up? Okay, you may speak. 1019 01:22:55,920 --> 01:23:01,760 through the chair. Um, I'm just curious, uh, Director Martin, 1020 01:23:00,320 --> 01:23:08,159 if there's been any indication as to what types of, uh, what types of 1021 01:23:04,880 --> 01:23:13,920 development we would anticipate here, uh, with this resoning. Just curious. 1022 01:23:11,760 --> 01:23:18,159 » Um, through May, there is a lot of flexibility. One of the things the 1023 01:23:15,280 --> 01:23:23,360 zoning does really um, restrict though is uses that would impact the plan 1024 01:23:20,560 --> 01:23:27,440 residential uh, to the north. So heavy industry realist realistically wouldn't 1025 01:23:25,520 --> 01:23:32,639 occur here, but um it could be any kind of warehousing, office, small shops. Um 1026 01:23:30,320 --> 01:23:36,159 there's a there's there's multiple opportunities there. We have had people 1027 01:23:34,480 --> 01:23:39,920 that have connected with us. We've direct them to the estate to uh to to 1028 01:23:38,480 --> 01:23:46,159 see if there's opportunities there. So there's there's lots of interest. What 1029 01:23:41,840 --> 01:23:50,960 lands there, I I I don't know for sure. >> Thank you. Any other questions or 1030 01:23:48,080 --> 01:23:56,480 comments, council? Okay, seeing none, all those in favor? 1031 01:23:53,280 --> 01:24:02,239 And that carries unanimously. And on to 14.7. 1032 01:24:00,000 --> 01:24:07,040 Uh, this is the community improvement plan brownfield financial incentive 1033 01:24:04,560 --> 01:24:10,320 program. The recommendation is that the report be received for information and 1034 01:24:08,639 --> 01:24:13,840 that council designate the whole township of Wilmont as a community 1035 01:24:12,000 --> 01:24:18,560 improvement project area for the purpose of establishing a community improvement 1036 01:24:15,920 --> 01:24:21,920 plan and that council approve and adopt the township of Wilmont community 1037 01:24:20,000 --> 01:24:27,360 improvement plan brownfield financial incentive program joint tax increment 1038 01:24:24,560 --> 01:24:31,120 grant included as attachment A to this report to get this on the floor. May I 1039 01:24:28,960 --> 01:24:35,679 have a mover? Moved by councelor Wilkinson, seconded by councelor Martin. 1040 01:24:33,440 --> 01:24:40,239 and I will now turn it over to our senior policy planner, Rachel Green, to 1041 01:24:37,760 --> 01:24:43,760 introduce this report. >> Thank you. Good evening, mayor and 1042 01:24:41,600 --> 01:24:49,040 members of council. Uh, as a quick recap, brownfield sites are typically 1043 01:24:46,000 --> 01:24:52,320 formal former industrial or commercial properties with environmental 1044 01:24:50,320 --> 01:24:58,480 contamination that can make redevelopment challenging and costly. So 1045 01:24:55,120 --> 01:25:03,199 the proposed program um incentive is a joint tax increment or TIG um and will 1046 01:25:01,440 --> 01:25:07,280 be de delivered in partnership with the region of water. Um the name has been 1047 01:25:05,440 --> 01:25:13,120 adjusted slightly since this is last in front of you to ensure alignment with 1048 01:25:09,440 --> 01:25:17,120 the region's program. Um so rather than providing upfront 1049 01:25:15,120 --> 01:25:21,679 funding, the grant returns the increased property taxes generated after a site is 1050 01:25:19,040 --> 01:25:25,679 remediated and redeveloped. So it's it's the same program. It hasn't changed. 1051 01:25:23,520 --> 01:25:29,600 We've just made some tweaks to make sure that it aligns with the region's 1052 01:25:27,120 --> 01:25:33,120 program. So, applicants must demonstrate eligibility as a brownfield site and 1053 01:25:31,600 --> 01:25:36,800 complete remediation requirements, including obtaining a record of site 1054 01:25:34,639 --> 01:25:41,520 condition. Um, and in response to a question at the public meeting um from 1055 01:25:38,880 --> 01:25:46,320 council. Um, this would apply in a situation where contamination is 1056 01:25:43,199 --> 01:25:49,840 discovered during construction um after a permit has already been issued, 1057 01:25:48,000 --> 01:25:55,280 provided the applicant files a record of site condition. Um so staff worked 1058 01:25:53,199 --> 01:25:59,199 closely with regional staff to align the program. This approach provides 1059 01:25:57,600 --> 01:26:03,840 applicants with access to larger incentive creates consistency across the 1060 01:26:01,440 --> 01:26:08,639 region and allows Wilmont to leverage existing regional expertise um and 1061 01:26:06,320 --> 01:26:13,920 administrative processes. So following the public meeting uh held in July, no p 1062 01:26:11,760 --> 01:26:18,560 further public or agency comments were received. Uh overall, the proposed cap 1063 01:26:16,800 --> 01:26:22,400 provides a practical tool to encourage brownfield redevelopment by helping 1064 01:26:20,480 --> 01:26:27,719 offset remediation costs and leveling the playing field between brownfield and 1065 01:26:24,239 --> 01:26:27,719 greenfield development. 1066 01:26:28,080 --> 01:26:32,600 » Thank you very much, uh councelor Dunstall. 1067 01:26:32,880 --> 01:26:39,600 » Thank you, Mayor. I mean, I think this is great. It will uh help with economic 1068 01:26:37,120 --> 01:26:44,800 development. My question to you is you had mentioned that um it applies if 1069 01:26:42,239 --> 01:26:49,600 construction has has begun and they run into the issue. What about where there's 1070 01:26:46,719 --> 01:26:53,920 a site where there is already knowledge that there is going to be an issue? 1071 01:26:51,280 --> 01:26:59,199 Would it apply there as well encouraging someone to go and u to uh to build 1072 01:26:57,440 --> 01:27:04,400 something uh that would help our community 1073 01:27:01,440 --> 01:27:08,960 » through the mayor? Yes. So normally prior to development if it was a 1074 01:27:06,719 --> 01:27:13,520 industrial or commercial property and it's going to be converted to say 1075 01:27:10,719 --> 01:27:16,960 residential usually there'll be um an investigation to see if there's 1076 01:27:14,719 --> 01:27:22,000 contamination at the outset and that's when they can start looking into the 1077 01:27:18,880 --> 01:27:26,400 program and staff along with the region and township will hold a pre-conultation 1078 01:27:24,560 --> 01:27:33,440 meeting and go through what requirements would be um part of 1079 01:27:30,800 --> 01:27:38,000 um being qualified as elible ible and then 1080 01:27:35,040 --> 01:27:41,840 once that process happens there's a form and then we would provide a letter to 1081 01:27:39,760 --> 01:27:45,320 the applicant and then final approval would come to council. 1082 01:27:45,840 --> 01:27:53,199 » Any other questions or comments? Council Martin. 1083 01:27:49,199 --> 01:27:57,199 » Mayor Salin. I I'm not sure um uh Rachel if this question is for you or if it's 1084 01:27:55,199 --> 01:27:59,920 for someone else and and maybe it can't be answered tonight because I didn't 1085 01:27:58,560 --> 01:28:06,239 think of it until we were in this discussion. Um I I I was thinking about 1086 01:28:02,880 --> 01:28:11,040 Sudbury uh and and in the past 40 years the uh significant improvement that has 1087 01:28:08,800 --> 01:28:19,360 happened in that community and and environmentalists uh commenting uh about 1088 01:28:14,639 --> 01:28:23,679 um uh how how uh environmentally uh uh the the great improvements that have 1089 01:28:20,800 --> 01:28:30,560 occurred in the past 40 years. So by uh designating all of our township as uh um 1090 01:28:27,040 --> 01:28:35,840 eligible uh for this, is that along the same line as what happened in Sudbury 1091 01:28:33,600 --> 01:28:40,480 over the past 40 years? Is there a comparison? Does anybody know? And if 1092 01:28:37,920 --> 01:28:45,639 nobody knows, it's not fair to spring on a question that uh I hadn't thought of 1093 01:28:42,400 --> 01:28:45,639 in advance. 1094 01:28:48,400 --> 01:28:53,679 I I your mayor son I think it's fair to say I don't think we're in a position to 1095 01:28:52,320 --> 01:28:58,560 answer whether it's comparable to Sudbury but it in the case of Wilmont it 1096 01:28:56,480 --> 01:29:01,360 does provide more flexibility so it's not a defined area it provide the same 1097 01:29:00,320 --> 01:29:04,360 opportunity throughout the entire township. 1098 01:29:04,800 --> 01:29:11,679 » Any other questions or comments? Councelor President. 1099 01:29:08,239 --> 01:29:17,440 » Yes. Just ask add clarity. My interpretation of the entire township 1100 01:29:14,560 --> 01:29:24,719 was That meant regardless of where the site was located, it would be eligible. 1101 01:29:21,199 --> 01:29:30,719 And therefore, it wasn't specific to say my backyard is a brownfield site. But it 1102 01:29:27,920 --> 01:29:36,320 means that, you know, if there is a brownfield site located anywhere in the 1103 01:29:33,600 --> 01:29:39,320 township, it isn't ruled out in terms of eligibility 1104 01:29:40,000 --> 01:29:49,199 through the mayor. That's correct. Any other questions or comments? 1105 01:29:45,280 --> 01:29:53,520 Okay, seeing none, um I actually did have one question. I just wanted to make 1106 01:29:51,760 --> 01:29:59,040 sure I know that you've mentioned if they find contamination after the 1107 01:29:55,440 --> 01:30:03,280 permits that uh they could apply. This is not retroactive though, correct? 1108 01:30:01,440 --> 01:30:06,960 Because we've not had a program in place. I just want to make sure we don't 1109 01:30:04,880 --> 01:30:11,280 suddenly have an influx of people who have remediated Brownfield. 1110 01:30:09,280 --> 01:30:16,560 » So through the mayor, we haven't put a date on. So if there has been a site 1111 01:30:13,840 --> 01:30:19,840 that has been remediated but not yet started their redevelopment, they could 1112 01:30:18,320 --> 01:30:25,199 be still eligible. >> Okay. But if the redevelopment is done, 1113 01:30:22,639 --> 01:30:28,000 they cannot come for the T. Okay. Correct. 1114 01:30:25,920 --> 01:30:31,520 » All right. Thank you for that clarity. Um with that, I will call the vote. All 1115 01:30:29,840 --> 01:30:37,280 those in favor? >> And that carries unanimously. On to 1116 01:30:34,239 --> 01:30:41,600 14.8. And this is the salt site alteration background report. Uh the 1117 01:30:40,159 --> 01:30:45,840 recommendation is to receive this for information and that staff be directed 1118 01:30:43,199 --> 01:30:50,239 to return to council in February 2027 to seek direction on which option to pursue 1119 01:30:47,600 --> 01:30:54,719 as outlined in the report. Do I have a mover for this? Moved by councelor 1120 01:30:52,159 --> 01:31:00,480 Cresman, seconded by councelor Sadu. And I will turn it back over to Miss Green. 1121 01:30:58,639 --> 01:31:04,159 Thank you. So the report this evening was prepared in collaboration with 1122 01:31:02,000 --> 01:31:08,080 infrastructure services. Um and it builds on council's previous direction 1123 01:31:05,520 --> 01:31:12,000 to explore a site alteration bylaw. um provides an overview of the current 1124 01:31:09,760 --> 01:31:16,159 regulatory framework, the township's existing tools and potential options 1125 01:31:13,600 --> 01:31:20,159 moving forward. So site alteration involves the placement of fill, removal 1126 01:31:17,840 --> 01:31:24,080 of soil, or changes to the grading. Um these activities can support development 1127 01:31:22,000 --> 01:31:28,239 and improve site conditions, but they can also create impacts related to truck 1128 01:31:26,239 --> 01:31:34,400 traffic, road damage, dust, noise, drainage, erosion, sedimentation. 1129 01:31:30,880 --> 01:31:37,600 Um and so site alteration is already partially regulated through several 1130 01:31:36,159 --> 01:31:43,520 existing provincial and agency frameworks. So the province regulates 1131 01:31:40,320 --> 01:31:48,320 excess soil quality and reuse um with requirements generally increasing as 1132 01:31:45,440 --> 01:31:54,480 projects become larger and more complex specifically for large projects over 1133 01:31:50,719 --> 01:31:59,040 10,000 cubic meters or 800 to,400 standard dump trucks that fill. Uh the 1134 01:31:56,719 --> 01:32:05,120 GRCA also has regulations and they regulate uh fill placement over a 1135 01:32:01,760 --> 01:32:09,280 thousand cubic meters or 80 to 140 dump trucks um within regulated areas such as 1136 01:32:07,679 --> 01:32:13,040 wetlands, flood planes, and water courses. 1137 01:32:10,800 --> 01:32:16,719 Uh the township has several tools available to address impacts associated 1138 01:32:14,960 --> 01:32:20,320 with fill and grading activities. So for example, through the planning process, 1139 01:32:18,560 --> 01:32:24,480 currently staff can already require technical studies and secure mitigation 1140 01:32:22,400 --> 01:32:27,840 measures through development agreements. Um the township's existing noise bylaw 1141 01:32:26,480 --> 01:32:31,840 can address concerns related to construction noise and equipment 1142 01:32:29,440 --> 01:32:36,159 operation. Um there's an existing traffic and parking bylaw um that 1143 01:32:34,320 --> 01:32:41,600 relates to heavy vehicle parking and truck restrictions. Um however, township 1144 01:32:39,280 --> 01:32:46,719 can only regulate roads under its own or jurisdiction. Um so these wouldn't apply 1145 01:32:43,840 --> 01:32:50,080 to regional or provincial roads. Um the township also has authority under the 1146 01:32:48,560 --> 01:32:53,920 municipal act to consider additional nuisance related bylaws addressing 1147 01:32:52,159 --> 01:32:58,880 concerns such as dust odors and vibration. And so the key considerations 1148 01:32:56,639 --> 01:33:02,800 for council is determining the preferred municipal role in regulating the 1149 01:33:00,639 --> 01:33:08,880 location scale and operational impacts of site alteration activities. Um so 1150 01:33:05,520 --> 01:33:13,360 there's a few options um that we've kind of looked at. And so the first option A 1151 01:33:11,440 --> 01:33:17,440 is maintaining the status quo and not introducing a site alteration bylaw. We 1152 01:33:15,760 --> 01:33:22,880 would continue to rely on existing provincial soil quality regulations, 1153 01:33:19,199 --> 01:33:27,520 DRCA permitting and municipal by bylaws. Um, this option has the lowest 1154 01:33:24,480 --> 01:33:32,159 administration and financial impact. Um, however, the township would have limited 1155 01:33:29,040 --> 01:33:36,560 ability to proactively oversee um impacts related to site alteration or 1156 01:33:34,800 --> 01:33:40,239 require securities to address infrastructure impacts to roads for 1157 01:33:38,800 --> 01:33:44,239 example. Um the second option we looked at option 1158 01:33:42,080 --> 01:33:47,840 B would be regulating large fill sites only um which have the greatest 1159 01:33:46,239 --> 01:33:53,199 potential to impact roads, infrastructure and the environment. Um 1160 01:33:50,000 --> 01:33:56,800 it would allow the township to permit um have conditions security collect 1161 01:33:54,960 --> 01:34:01,360 securities and enter into an agreements for large operations to mitigate impacts 1162 01:33:59,600 --> 01:34:05,840 um and represents a balance between increased oversight and manageable 1163 01:34:03,199 --> 01:34:11,520 resource requirements. And then third is option C um which is to regulate all 1164 01:34:08,639 --> 01:34:16,639 site alteration activities um from small to large projects. Um this provides the 1165 01:34:14,320 --> 01:34:21,199 highest level of m municipal oversight but would require significant commitment 1166 01:34:18,639 --> 01:34:25,360 of staff time for permit review, inspections, compliance, monitoring and 1167 01:34:23,280 --> 01:34:29,199 enforcement and could potentially require additional staffing resources 1168 01:34:26,960 --> 01:34:34,000 and ongoing operating funding but may be offset by permit fees. 1169 01:34:31,520 --> 01:34:37,360 So overall, this report is intended to help council determine the township's 1170 01:34:35,840 --> 01:34:42,320 preferred role in regulating site alteration activities. Um, right now 1171 01:34:39,600 --> 01:34:45,760 we're just recommending the that it be received for information and bring it 1172 01:34:43,920 --> 01:34:51,199 back to a future council meeting in February. Thanks. 1173 01:34:48,159 --> 01:34:57,920 » Thank you very much. Questions, council, councilman. 1174 01:34:53,840 --> 01:35:06,480 » Yes. uh through you mayor uh to um manager green. Um I'm looking at 1175 01:35:02,560 --> 01:35:13,520 at the two different options. I think uh certainly at this point in time B is the 1176 01:35:09,280 --> 01:35:24,000 one that would catch my eye. Um I'm wondering 10,000 cubic meters. Um, given 1177 01:35:20,719 --> 01:35:31,120 at least one active site here in the in the township, uh, uh, I would assume 1178 01:35:27,840 --> 01:35:35,600 they surpass that and do they have an exemption because quote unquote they're 1179 01:35:33,679 --> 01:35:41,600 looking at um, farming 1180 01:35:38,800 --> 01:35:45,679 and so I thought, is that a giant loophole? 1181 01:35:43,679 --> 01:35:52,000 I am a farmer, but is that a giant loophole that you could drive massive 1182 01:35:48,960 --> 01:35:56,159 truck through? So, I'm just asking the question 1183 01:35:53,120 --> 01:36:01,360 » and I'd maybe just tailor it not to that specific site, but in general, is 1184 01:35:58,800 --> 01:36:06,159 agricultural activity like that a potential loophole? through 1185 01:36:04,000 --> 01:36:10,639 the merit. The municipal act does allow exemptions or requires exemptions for 1186 01:36:09,040 --> 01:36:16,239 agricultural specific 1187 01:36:12,560 --> 01:36:23,199 uh site alteration. So we would have to look and ensure that it meets what is 1188 01:36:19,920 --> 01:36:27,760 defined as agriculture in that respect and ensure that if it meets that then it 1189 01:36:25,280 --> 01:36:33,920 would be exempt from getting a permit if we were to implement a program. 1190 01:36:31,679 --> 01:36:38,480 » Thank you. I council Dunto. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, thank you, uh, 1191 01:36:36,320 --> 01:36:42,560 Miss Green. And I I think this is is very timely and I think we definitely 1192 01:36:40,400 --> 01:36:46,880 need to have something put into place. My understanding is the abuing, uh, 1193 01:36:44,800 --> 01:36:50,800 municipalities already have something. And so my concern is that there will be 1194 01:36:48,639 --> 01:36:56,000 more dumping in Wilmont. We certainly don't need that. Uh, my question to you 1195 01:36:52,800 --> 01:37:02,719 is how how many fill operations uh, are there currently operating? Do you know? 1196 01:36:59,520 --> 01:37:08,639 » From my understanding, two. Um but I'll defer to management if they have any 1197 01:37:05,119 --> 01:37:13,199 other knowledge of any others >> uh through Mana. No, I we're aware of 1198 01:37:10,639 --> 01:37:17,520 two larger operations uh in the township and that's that's all we're aware of at 1199 01:37:14,719 --> 01:37:21,280 this point. >> Any other questions or comments? 1200 01:37:19,440 --> 01:37:25,440 Councelor Wilkinson. >> Thank you through the chair. I know um 1201 01:37:23,840 --> 01:37:29,760 there's one particular site that comes up quite a bit, but I will say that you 1202 01:37:27,119 --> 01:37:33,440 know there is a um I can't remember the exact body that that governs it uh at 1203 01:37:32,159 --> 01:37:37,280 the moment, but there there is definitely tracking and information 1204 01:37:35,520 --> 01:37:42,239 related to where that fill is coming from on um and if anybody's curious, 1205 01:37:40,719 --> 01:37:47,119 they can email me. I'm happy to send it to them. Um it's just escaping me at the 1206 01:37:44,960 --> 01:37:52,000 moment. Uh but with that said, I mean I I I concur with councelor Cresman. 1207 01:37:49,360 --> 01:37:56,320 option B is is probably the the preferred option when we get there in 1208 01:37:53,920 --> 01:38:00,560 February. Um but ultimately this will be a decision that uh we're not going to 1209 01:37:58,159 --> 01:38:04,119 make tonight. So yeah, we definitely want to see it though. 1210 01:38:04,639 --> 01:38:12,800 I did have one question and it's just on timing. Um I know right now the 1211 01:38:10,800 --> 01:38:18,000 recommended motion is to refer back for February 2027. I'm just wondering does 1212 01:38:15,520 --> 01:38:22,960 it make more sense to tie it in with budget and as we don't know with the new 1213 01:38:20,800 --> 01:38:27,119 council when budget will be coming. The only reason I ask is because two of your 1214 01:38:24,560 --> 01:38:32,000 options as you noted do have financial impacts. Um curious if that's an issue 1215 01:38:30,080 --> 01:38:37,440 or if there was a particular reason that February was proposed. I just don't want 1216 01:38:34,560 --> 01:38:42,000 it to come out of pace with the budget if there is if council in the future 1217 01:38:40,159 --> 01:38:48,000 decides on B or C as the option to proceed with. 1218 01:38:44,960 --> 01:38:52,080 » I'm going to defer to director Martin. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. So the the February 1219 01:38:50,400 --> 01:38:57,040 date was more to allow for an opportunity for a new council to be 1220 01:38:54,480 --> 01:39:01,600 adjusted. Um there would be public consultation requirements. So in in 1221 01:38:59,760 --> 01:39:07,360 theory, we could tie it to a budget process, but um prior to February, there 1222 01:39:05,440 --> 01:39:12,639 really won't be a significant opportunity to go to a public public 1223 01:39:09,760 --> 01:39:18,719 meeting uh to advertise, you know, the proposal. So that's where we were uh we 1224 01:39:15,440 --> 01:39:23,360 were looking at the later date. um you know initially depending on what the 1225 01:39:20,560 --> 01:39:27,280 what what what uh what option is looked at um there there's components of that 1226 01:39:25,600 --> 01:39:31,600 that could could come through without significant impacts initially um knowing 1227 01:39:29,679 --> 01:39:34,960 that if you know next stages of that would have financial implications would 1228 01:39:33,920 --> 01:39:38,960 allow for the opportunity to be considered at a future budget meeting as 1229 01:39:36,480 --> 01:39:43,600 well. So, um, future budget, meaning 2028. Uh, 1230 01:39:41,679 --> 01:39:47,199 but I guess we can, you know, it's up to council's direction on how they'd like 1231 01:39:45,199 --> 01:39:51,440 us to proceed at this point. Um, but primarily the date was there to allow 1232 01:39:49,040 --> 01:39:56,159 for public consultation with a new council after the election. Uh, and you 1233 01:39:54,159 --> 01:40:01,119 know, new council settled in for a month. 1234 01:39:58,000 --> 01:40:05,520 » Okay. Um, that answer satisfies my question. Councelor Cresman. 1235 01:40:03,280 --> 01:40:14,320 » Yes. Through you, mayor. One further question. Uh anecdotally there was 1236 01:40:08,560 --> 01:40:22,400 always the comment that you once a a um excess soil uh site had been initiated 1237 01:40:18,880 --> 01:40:29,760 it couldn't be uh regulated. Uh and so I'm wondering is that a felicious 1238 01:40:25,440 --> 01:40:37,280 assumption or is that uh if we had option option B that uh we could in fact 1239 01:40:33,920 --> 01:40:41,679 regulate something that's existing >> through the mayor. So should we go down 1240 01:40:40,239 --> 01:40:47,040 the path of implementing a site alteration bylaw, we'd probably look at 1241 01:40:43,440 --> 01:40:51,440 some transition um policy to be put in there. there would likely not be an 1242 01:40:49,920 --> 01:40:56,159 opportunity to regulate what's been done, but if there was an increase in 1243 01:40:53,760 --> 01:41:01,840 the area or the increase in the volume of fill moving forward, that could 1244 01:40:58,320 --> 01:41:06,400 potentially fall under a bylaw. >> Thank you. I'm not seeing any other 1245 01:41:04,320 --> 01:41:10,800 questions or comments. Again, tonight, this is just to receive for information 1246 01:41:08,159 --> 01:41:16,239 and then um have staff bring this back to council in February 2027. So, I will 1247 01:41:14,000 --> 01:41:22,560 call the question. All those in favor? and that's carried unanimously. Uh on to 1248 01:41:19,119 --> 01:41:27,360 report 14.9 and this is the Mannheim service area water allocation policy. 1249 01:41:25,360 --> 01:41:31,199 The recommendation is that council receives this report for information and 1250 01:41:29,600 --> 01:41:37,440 that council approve the bylaw and policy as attached um as attachment A to 1251 01:41:35,280 --> 01:41:40,719 this report and that council delegate authority to the director of development 1252 01:41:39,119 --> 01:41:44,719 services or in their absence the director of infrastructure services to 1253 01:41:42,719 --> 01:41:49,840 be delegated delegated to make allocation decisions pursuant to the 1254 01:41:46,880 --> 01:41:52,639 policy as in attachment A and that the director of development services or in 1255 01:41:51,440 --> 01:41:57,440 their absence the director of infrastructure services be delegated 1256 01:41:55,199 --> 01:42:02,080 um report to council when an allocation has been assigned pursuant to the policy 1257 01:42:00,080 --> 01:42:05,760 which is noted in attachment A and that the mayor and the clerk be authorized to 1258 01:42:03,760 --> 01:42:10,000 execute the allocation policy administrative agreement jointly entered 1259 01:42:08,080 --> 01:42:13,119 into with the region of waterl city of Cambridge city of Kitchener city of 1260 01:42:11,280 --> 01:42:16,560 water and township of Wulitch to implement the region of waterlue 1261 01:42:14,560 --> 01:42:20,159 allocation policy to get this on the floor may I have a mover moved by 1262 01:42:18,560 --> 01:42:24,159 councelor Sue seconded by councelor Martin and I will turn it back over to 1263 01:42:22,239 --> 01:42:30,239 director Sorry. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Salin. Uh so this uh 1264 01:42:26,800 --> 01:42:35,679 this report um was dealt with to a certain extent with other municipalities 1265 01:42:31,600 --> 01:42:39,360 earlier. Um ultimately uh it looks at the water allocation to Wilmont within 1266 01:42:37,440 --> 01:42:43,360 the Manahide service area which is a very small piece of the overall 1267 01:42:40,800 --> 01:42:48,320 equation. Uh hence our late uh arrival to council with this. Um ultimately in 1268 01:42:45,920 --> 01:42:52,239 May, the region approved a region uh water supply allocation policy that 1269 01:42:50,400 --> 01:42:56,080 looked at assigning buckets of capacity to municipalities based on growth 1270 01:42:54,159 --> 01:43:00,880 potential in those areas and and uh official plan designations where growth 1271 01:42:57,760 --> 01:43:04,960 was going to occur. And then um in June of 26, they adopted an interimm risk 1272 01:43:02,880 --> 01:43:09,119 management that looked at you know those buckets of of allocation what that 1273 01:43:07,040 --> 01:43:15,199 number would be in the time frame. So ultimately in that uh Wilmet has 1274 01:43:11,600 --> 01:43:21,760 allocated 0.01% 01% of the overall piece which um in the July uh bucket that was 1275 01:43:19,360 --> 01:43:27,600 allocated would mean one person uh to Wilmont over the course of the uh the 1276 01:43:24,400 --> 01:43:33,679 the risk management process to 2030 uh one that means 17 people. Uh so we're 1277 01:43:31,199 --> 01:43:37,760 not talking a lot of allocation. We also don't have a lot of plan growth within 1278 01:43:35,360 --> 01:43:42,960 the uh service uh the Manheim service area limited implications. Um but should 1279 01:43:41,119 --> 01:43:46,400 those numbers change, should there be additional water, um that percentage 1280 01:43:44,880 --> 01:43:50,560 could mean a larger number and could have some implications for for some 1281 01:43:48,480 --> 01:43:56,480 potential areas in in your St. Agatha or Manheim areas. Um so we feel it's 1282 01:43:53,600 --> 01:43:59,040 prudent to be part of that uh to enter into the agreement that the other 1283 01:43:57,600 --> 01:44:03,440 municipalities have already entered into which is one part of the recommendation 1284 01:44:01,040 --> 01:44:08,239 and then we've basically uh with some minor modifications to reflect Wilmont. 1285 01:44:06,159 --> 01:44:12,400 We've uh the proposed policy is reflective of what Woolwitch has already 1286 01:44:09,920 --> 01:44:16,480 passed uh to deal with allocation. Uh so it provides you know scenario what the 1287 01:44:14,560 --> 01:44:20,880 priorities would be if we were to have a bucket. Again, we're dealing with 17 1288 01:44:18,880 --> 01:44:24,800 people to 2031, so it's not a a significant piece to deal with, but it 1289 01:44:23,199 --> 01:44:28,560 provides a framework on how you'd make decisions about allocation going 1290 01:44:26,239 --> 01:44:32,400 forward. So, from that perspective, the the idea would be if if council were to 1291 01:44:30,400 --> 01:44:36,080 support this, we would execute the agreement that the other municipalities 1292 01:44:33,840 --> 01:44:40,639 have already, which would then mean that we would receive our small uh allocation 1293 01:44:39,040 --> 01:44:45,600 and we would have an opportunity to hold on to that until there's a need to 1294 01:44:43,280 --> 01:44:52,800 allocate. Council Gresman, 1295 01:44:48,960 --> 01:45:01,440 » I would say this policy is a little bit dripping with iron irony, but I I would 1296 01:44:57,760 --> 01:45:05,239 say uh the 19 LERs per second that they took serendip 1297 01:45:05,600 --> 01:45:17,520 our knowledge 30 liters, sorry, uh from 2019. Um 1298 01:45:12,800 --> 01:45:23,440 anyhow I I certainly support this but uh the question I have I guess to either uh 1299 01:45:21,040 --> 01:45:28,719 director Martin or director Vanderwal is about the Ben well that we know has 1300 01:45:27,199 --> 01:45:35,520 issues uh and they haven't got a clear uh it is 1301 01:45:33,199 --> 01:45:41,360 indirectly connected I believe to the Mannheim system to supply some of our 1302 01:45:38,480 --> 01:45:48,800 water is it not or it's being supplemented or how is that? Um, so I 1303 01:45:46,320 --> 01:45:53,440 guess that's the question. >> Uh, and I'll attempt to answer if I've 1304 01:45:51,360 --> 01:45:58,880 missed anything then Mr. Vanderwal would be able to respond. But we technically 1305 01:45:56,400 --> 01:46:02,480 uh the system would be they're connected. It would be a matter of 1306 01:46:01,119 --> 01:46:06,639 turning the tap in a different direction, but it's it's not it's not 1307 01:46:04,639 --> 01:46:10,960 feeding the system at this point, but the infrastructure provides the 1308 01:46:08,480 --> 01:46:15,520 opportunity that it could in theory, but uh that that isn't part of the current 1309 01:46:13,360 --> 01:46:18,719 uh Ben and New Hamburg water system if those wells were to come online and be 1310 01:46:16,960 --> 01:46:25,760 part of that. It isn't it isn't the way it works presently, but um there would 1311 01:46:21,679 --> 01:46:32,960 be an opportunity uh for that to occur. Just just to through you may mer to 1312 01:46:28,639 --> 01:46:40,480 clarify my question which uh is Mannheim currently serving Ben because of the 1313 01:46:36,880 --> 01:46:45,199 challenges with that well uh I guess is what my question is. Sorry I missed the 1314 01:46:43,760 --> 01:46:50,440 missed the part of that question there. So the answer is no. Ven is not serviced 1315 01:46:47,040 --> 01:46:50,440 by man. 1316 01:46:51,440 --> 01:46:59,280 » Any other questions or comments on this report? Okay, seeing none, all those in 1317 01:46:55,840 --> 01:47:08,000 favor and that carries unanimously. On to 14.10 and the recommendation is to 1318 01:47:04,080 --> 01:47:11,119 receive uh the tax aer status update for information to get this on the floor. 1319 01:47:09,600 --> 01:47:15,119 May I have a mover, please? Moved by councelor Sedu, seconded by councelor 1320 01:47:12,880 --> 01:47:20,080 Martin. And I will turn it over to our supervisor of taxation and revenue, 1321 01:47:16,960 --> 01:47:24,239 Emily Woon, to introduce this report. >> Good evening, Mayor Salin and members of 1322 01:47:21,760 --> 01:47:28,159 council. The tax rear status update report before you tonight provides an 1323 01:47:25,920 --> 01:47:34,080 update on the township's property tax rears as of July 31st, 2026, together 1324 01:47:32,000 --> 01:47:38,480 with an overview of the legislative framework, uh the collection processes 1325 01:47:36,159 --> 01:47:43,280 used by finance staff and the current status of properties identified as being 1326 01:47:40,639 --> 01:47:47,199 eligible for tax sale this year. Thank you. 1327 01:47:45,600 --> 01:47:51,474 » Thank you very much. Are there questions or comments on this council? Councelor 1328 01:47:49,600 --> 01:47:55,040 Wilkinson. >> [clears throat] 1329 01:47:51,520 --> 01:47:59,920 » Uh thank you through the chair. Um I I guess uh 1330 01:47:57,840 --> 01:48:06,159 more a comment I guess cause for alarm in reading this report when we start to 1331 01:48:01,920 --> 01:48:10,159 see the numbers u uh of tax sales that could potentially be pursued and at the 1332 01:48:08,639 --> 01:48:16,719 same time looking at the number of households that are in a rears. Um, you 1333 01:48:13,760 --> 01:48:22,880 know, it's a rather large number and and I I guess I'm curious uh to the manager 1334 01:48:20,719 --> 01:48:27,280 if if you've heard an overarching theme as to what's driving the arars or could 1335 01:48:25,600 --> 01:48:32,880 you comment on that at all because this is a very high number obviously 1336 01:48:30,159 --> 01:48:39,040 through you mayor to council. Um, so I do want to note that the properties that 1337 01:48:35,199 --> 01:48:44,320 are identified as being inner rears are ranging in balance. So, anything greater 1338 01:48:41,920 --> 01:48:49,760 than a $0 balance is considered an outstanding account. Um, there was no 1339 01:48:47,040 --> 01:48:54,239 threshold used when when deciding to include balances in this report. So, we 1340 01:48:52,080 --> 01:49:00,320 have a number of properties with balances less than $1,000 um spanning 1341 01:48:57,679 --> 01:49:04,719 larger than that. Um, so I just want to note that of the properties that are 1342 01:49:02,719 --> 01:49:09,760 identified as being inner rears, the 2,936 1343 01:49:06,880 --> 01:49:16,000 properties, 1,487 of them have balances less than $1,000. 1344 01:49:12,320 --> 01:49:21,920 So that's about 51 almost% of those properties with balances less than 1345 01:49:17,840 --> 01:49:27,600 $1,000, which would be considered lower balances. Um, I do also want to note 1346 01:49:24,960 --> 01:49:31,360 that there are a number of properties identified that are currently enrolled 1347 01:49:29,440 --> 01:49:36,000 into a pre-authorized payment plan with the municipality with the expectation 1348 01:49:33,199 --> 01:49:42,000 that by year end balances that are outstanding would be collected through 1349 01:49:38,000 --> 01:49:47,440 those payment arrangements. Um so as of now yes there are properties in a rears 1350 01:49:44,000 --> 01:49:51,760 but when we look at the amount of the rears and also the plans that are in 1351 01:49:49,520 --> 01:49:57,040 place we are in moving in a direction for those rears to be mostly paid by the 1352 01:49:54,400 --> 01:50:02,400 end of the year. Um now in respect to the properties eligible for tax sale 1353 01:49:59,520 --> 01:50:09,040 there are 67 properties identified as being eligible for tax sale. Um when we 1354 01:50:05,199 --> 01:50:14,239 compare to prior years last year tax sale efforts weren't um conducted and 1355 01:50:11,360 --> 01:50:19,280 from what I can see from prior years properties 3 years and greater in a 1356 01:50:16,560 --> 01:50:24,560 rears seemed to be what was used as the benchmark for eligibility. Um in 2017 1357 01:50:22,800 --> 01:50:29,360 legislation changed under under the municipal act to allow properties two 1358 01:50:27,440 --> 01:50:33,760 years in a rears to become eligible for tax sale which is what I have used as 1359 01:50:31,760 --> 01:50:39,199 the benchmark for determining eligibility. So we we're seeing an 1360 01:50:37,119 --> 01:50:42,960 increase in number this year but from what I can see from prior years it's 1361 01:50:41,280 --> 01:50:48,400 different criteria that's being identified in the current year. Um, I do 1362 01:50:46,159 --> 01:50:52,480 also want to note on the 67 properties that have been identified, the deadline 1363 01:50:50,719 --> 01:50:59,760 for property owners to contact the municipality is August 31st. Um, as of 1364 01:50:56,560 --> 01:51:04,639 this past Friday, we've already received almost $200,000 1365 01:51:01,760 --> 01:51:10,639 towards the tax sale balance uh or the tax arers eligible for tax sale. Um and 1366 01:51:08,480 --> 01:51:14,960 so that represents about 22 properties that have either paid their rears in 1367 01:51:12,400 --> 01:51:19,119 full um have entered into a payment plan or have paid sufficient balances to 1368 01:51:17,520 --> 01:51:23,840 remove themselves from tax sale eligibility for this year. So we are 1369 01:51:21,600 --> 01:51:28,000 making really great progress already on collecting on those arars just through 1370 01:51:25,600 --> 01:51:34,239 our standard collection process without escalating to registration for tax sale. 1371 01:51:32,320 --> 01:51:37,440 » Councelor Wilkinson. >> Thank you through the chair. Uh, 1372 01:51:35,920 --> 01:51:42,239 appreciate the the depth of that response. I just want to clarify one 1373 01:51:39,119 --> 01:51:47,440 item. Um, when you say the the properties in a rears that are less than 1374 01:51:44,800 --> 01:51:52,080 $1,000, but you mentioned um the pre-authorized payment plan. So, are you 1375 01:51:50,400 --> 01:51:56,080 suggesting that there are a number of houses here that would be in regular 1376 01:51:54,080 --> 01:51:59,920 compliance making regular monthly payments um but they're considered in a 1377 01:51:58,800 --> 01:52:02,719 rears because they're not paying in their quarterly installments. Is that 1378 01:52:01,679 --> 01:52:07,199 fair >> through Mayor Saladin? Yes, that would 1379 01:52:04,639 --> 01:52:12,080 be correct. So, as per the way our system reports, these balances would 1380 01:52:09,360 --> 01:52:17,679 technically be considered outstanding. However, they are properties are entered 1381 01:52:15,599 --> 01:52:23,360 into payment arrangements provided that they are fulfilled would bring them into 1382 01:52:20,000 --> 01:52:26,400 good standing by the end of the year. >> Through the chair, just a quick 1383 01:52:24,320 --> 01:52:31,440 followup. Do you know off top of your head how many properties are part of the 1384 01:52:28,800 --> 01:52:36,480 pre-authorized payment plan? through you, Mayor Salin. Uh, yes, we have 1385 01:52:33,840 --> 01:52:41,679 approximately 2,000 properties that are enrolled into a pre-authorized payment 1386 01:52:38,560 --> 01:52:44,679 plan across the different uh, classes of taxation. 1387 01:52:45,040 --> 01:52:49,840 » Thank you. An additional follow. So, through the chair, so basically what 1388 01:52:48,159 --> 01:52:54,800 you're saying is those 2,000 should come into compliance by the end of the year, 1389 01:52:51,199 --> 01:52:58,159 which means in reality it's probably 936 properties that are truly in your rears 1390 01:52:56,800 --> 01:53:01,199 not making their payments. Is that a fair statement? 1391 01:52:59,920 --> 01:53:08,560 through you, Mayor Salin, and into council. Yes, I would agree, provided 1392 01:53:06,080 --> 01:53:13,119 that those payment plans are fulfilled. Um, we do, you know, there there are 1393 01:53:11,119 --> 01:53:17,360 circumstances where maybe residents move. Um, the payment plans are 1394 01:53:15,280 --> 01:53:23,119 cancelled. We do have residents occasionally default on payment 1395 01:53:19,199 --> 01:53:27,119 arrangements. Um, so that's yes, I would hope that those 2,000 properties would 1396 01:53:24,960 --> 01:53:31,440 come into uh good standing by the end of the year. Councelor 1397 01:53:30,320 --> 01:53:35,119 Martin. >> Uh through you, Mayor S. I I guess I'm 1398 01:53:33,760 --> 01:53:39,360 I'm following up on councelor Wilkinson's questions because if I've 1399 01:53:37,040 --> 01:53:46,480 understood this explanation and and I appreciate that, uh manager, um then I 1400 01:53:44,159 --> 01:53:50,960 guess I would be in a rears. I'm in a monthly payment plan. So I wonder if we 1401 01:53:49,280 --> 01:53:55,840 should change this because it doesn't make sense to me to call something in a 1402 01:53:52,880 --> 01:53:59,760 rears when we have a plan in place that uh has a monthly payment plan. and I've 1403 01:53:58,239 --> 01:54:03,760 been doing the monthly payment plan for years. Um, so I I guess I'm wondering if 1404 01:54:02,159 --> 01:54:08,639 we should consider making a change on that. 1405 01:54:06,000 --> 01:54:13,840 » I'd maybe look to Supervisor Wound just in terms of 1406 01:54:11,119 --> 01:54:17,280 the ability to functionally do that with the reporting technology. I'm not 1407 01:54:15,520 --> 01:54:20,320 against the proposal. I just kind of want to know the logistics what that 1408 01:54:18,719 --> 01:54:25,440 would look like on the back end. >> Yeah. and through you mayor Saladin to 1409 01:54:21,920 --> 01:54:30,400 can to council. Um the financial software that we have is limited in the 1410 01:54:27,920 --> 01:54:33,400 reporting structure that is available. Um 1411 01:54:33,520 --> 01:54:41,040 we say it I mean it's categorized as outstanding because if a property owner 1412 01:54:38,719 --> 01:54:45,440 was to contact the municipality tomorrow and say I would like to disenroll from 1413 01:54:42,880 --> 01:54:49,119 my pre-authorized arrangement um any amount that is owing would immediately 1414 01:54:47,199 --> 01:54:53,199 become past due and subject to penalty and interest. So, it it is a balance 1415 01:54:51,679 --> 01:54:56,880 that it's a courtesy that we offer the 1416 01:54:55,040 --> 01:55:02,239 pre-authorized payment plan as a way to help residents um budget their their 1417 01:54:59,440 --> 01:55:07,199 taxation over the year. It is a great collection um tool that we use and I 1418 01:55:05,440 --> 01:55:11,679 know a lot of property owners are in favor of it. I certainly am as well. Um 1419 01:55:09,920 --> 01:55:16,639 but it does not take away from the fact that you know we are still required to 1420 01:55:14,320 --> 01:55:21,360 make our payments to um the region and the school boards on a quarterly and 1421 01:55:18,800 --> 01:55:27,199 monthly basis and these are balances that we are not collecting at time that 1422 01:55:25,280 --> 01:55:33,280 they are due. We are collecting them by year end. So in that aspect they would 1423 01:55:30,639 --> 01:55:36,280 be considered technically outstanding balances. 1424 01:55:38,239 --> 01:55:44,080 Does that satisfy your question, counselor? 1425 01:55:41,119 --> 01:55:48,480 » Uh, thank you for asking, Mayor Salin. To me, it doesn't make sense. I wouldn't 1426 01:55:46,239 --> 01:55:52,159 call it a rears if we have a bonafide plan and we're not the only 1427 01:55:49,599 --> 01:55:56,400 municipality, city of Kitchener. I mean, throughout the province, uh, monthly 1428 01:55:54,639 --> 01:56:01,360 payment plans are a regular occurrence. So, it doesn't make sense to call it a 1429 01:55:58,159 --> 01:56:08,159 rears from my point of view. So maybe I would suggest 1430 01:56:05,119 --> 01:56:12,159 um and this could either be just direction to staff or if somebody wanted 1431 01:56:10,000 --> 01:56:18,159 to formalize it, but maybe that staff bring back a different language. Um I 1432 01:56:16,719 --> 01:56:22,320 would say I'm still interested personally to know 1433 01:56:20,719 --> 01:56:26,320 um even if people are on a monthly payment plan from the perspective of we 1434 01:56:24,239 --> 01:56:30,239 do collect actually the largest portion of our taxes as we know go to the 1435 01:56:28,000 --> 01:56:34,000 region. We collect on their behalf. So technically we are carrying as 1436 01:56:32,320 --> 01:56:39,840 supervisor Wound just noted we are carrying um that cost and covering it 1437 01:56:36,800 --> 01:56:43,679 going to I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I just think having that 1438 01:56:41,360 --> 01:56:47,599 information is a valid thing for us to be aware of. But I don't disagree with 1439 01:56:45,679 --> 01:56:51,760 changing the terminology because I was also a little shocked at first when I 1440 01:56:49,199 --> 01:56:57,440 read the report going wow that's a lot of households um in our community. So 1441 01:56:55,679 --> 01:57:02,880 maybe if council's open to it, we could ask um and I would look for staff 1442 01:57:00,080 --> 01:57:08,719 comment, but if staff could bring back um enhanced language to better 1443 01:57:05,920 --> 01:57:14,320 articulate that and not have it as a rears if people are on payment plans, 1444 01:57:10,639 --> 01:57:20,800 would that are there issues from council on that? Councelor Sue, 1445 01:57:17,679 --> 01:57:27,040 » a quick question before that. Um, so we're paying our taxes to the region 1446 01:57:23,440 --> 01:57:31,360 quarterly, I believe. So, are we paying any interest? Are we acrewing any 1447 01:57:29,040 --> 01:57:37,840 interest by paying the region and not collecting our uh taxes from the 1448 01:57:34,560 --> 01:57:43,440 residents in the meantime? I would turn to supervisor woon but I 1449 01:57:40,639 --> 01:57:49,280 know if people are in a rears the township is the one who takes the hit 1450 01:57:45,760 --> 01:57:55,199 and we can charge I believe it's 15% um is what the deal is and that's why 1451 01:57:51,840 --> 01:58:00,560 the region claims it's beneficial for us um but we have to pay them outright 1452 01:57:58,960 --> 01:58:04,719 regardless of if we get paid but supervisor woon if you have anything you 1453 01:58:02,400 --> 01:58:09,760 wanted to add to that >> through you uh mayor Salon into council. 1454 01:58:07,679 --> 01:58:14,800 That is correct. We are still required to remmit to the region. We remit 1455 01:58:11,920 --> 01:58:19,040 monthly. Um and we are still required to remit to the school boards. That is 1456 01:58:16,400 --> 01:58:24,639 quarterly regardless of if we have collected taxes that have been levied. 1457 01:58:21,520 --> 01:58:29,239 And yes, we do charge um penalty and interest. It is 15% annually. 1458 01:58:29,520 --> 01:58:36,320 So just before we move on, did we want to give direction to staff then to bring 1459 01:58:33,840 --> 01:58:41,280 back updated language for this report? Councelor Wilkinson 1460 01:58:37,840 --> 01:58:44,320 » through the chair. Um I'm not opposed to it. Maybe there is a different way to 1461 01:58:43,199 --> 01:58:48,239 mention it if they are on a pre-authorized payment, but ultimately I 1462 01:58:45,920 --> 01:58:53,760 think is this report is not one that we've regularly seen over the term. Um, 1463 01:58:51,119 --> 01:58:58,159 but I think ultimately the the the truer rears is the one that it presents itself 1464 01:58:55,679 --> 01:59:03,280 at the end of the tax collection cycle. Um, so you know, I I mean I pay monthly 1465 01:59:01,520 --> 01:59:07,520 on a pre-authorized plan, so technically I'd be in the same boat as council, but 1466 01:59:05,760 --> 01:59:12,560 uh I'm certainly not hearing about it or seeing anything about it. So I mean I'm 1467 01:59:09,199 --> 01:59:16,159 not overly concerned. Um, but I think it it it would be interesting to see what 1468 01:59:14,800 --> 01:59:20,400 this looks like at the end of the tax collection cycle truly to see what the 1469 01:59:18,480 --> 01:59:24,000 real number is of who's in a rears and then I don't know, but I also wouldn't 1470 01:59:22,400 --> 01:59:30,320 be opposed if there's a different way to classify just this segment as in this 1471 01:59:27,280 --> 01:59:33,840 section. I'd be fine with that. >> So, Supervisor Boon, I think you've been 1472 01:59:32,320 --> 01:59:37,360 following the conversation. Is that something that you feel confident you 1473 01:59:35,280 --> 01:59:40,080 can bring back to council at a future date? 1474 01:59:38,159 --> 01:59:43,920 » Yes. uh through you mayor Sal and to members of council. Yes, I can 1475 01:59:42,320 --> 01:59:48,239 absolutely understand your perspective and I don't disagree. Um from my 1476 01:59:46,000 --> 01:59:54,000 understanding, this is the first report of this types that has come forward to 1477 01:59:50,480 --> 01:59:59,440 this council and um I would hope it is my intent to provide a year-end update 1478 01:59:57,520 --> 02:00:06,800 as well. It is something that we should be reporting to council on ideally like 1479 02:00:05,040 --> 02:00:11,599 every 6 months, year end and then partway through the year. And I do 1480 02:00:08,960 --> 02:00:16,800 anticipate that year end will be in a very different situation. Um, but I 1481 02:00:14,159 --> 02:00:21,679 certainly can take your feedback, um, address the the verbiage and the 1482 02:00:18,719 --> 02:00:26,960 language that's been used and also rework what has been written to provide 1483 02:00:23,440 --> 02:00:31,280 you maybe a clearer, um, uh, update as to what you're looking for. 1484 02:00:29,040 --> 02:00:34,320 » Thank you very much. And we do have a list, Councelor Stew, and then Council 1485 02:00:32,880 --> 02:00:38,800 Presman. >> Thank you. Yeah, I just wanted to make a 1486 02:00:35,760 --> 02:00:43,679 comment. I would be in favor of uh, uh, changing the language or the way we 1487 02:00:40,560 --> 02:00:49,280 report it out. um I know when you buy a home you have the option of do you want 1488 02:00:45,040 --> 02:00:53,599 to do it quarterly, do it monthly. Um just doesn't sit well with me. I I agree 1489 02:00:51,040 --> 02:00:57,520 with um councelor Martin that if you have the option to do it monthly and 1490 02:00:55,679 --> 02:01:01,679 then you see this report and then you see you're looped into a pool that says 1491 02:00:59,199 --> 02:01:08,239 technically you're in a rears. Um, so I would be in favor of changing the 1492 02:01:04,080 --> 02:01:13,440 reporting so we can see that as uh it was mentioned I think 2,000 homes are in 1493 02:01:11,040 --> 02:01:18,239 the pre-authorized. So the number looks a lot more favorable. So we can actually 1494 02:01:15,679 --> 02:01:24,159 break it down and see that no they are not technically in a rears but the 900 1495 02:01:20,719 --> 02:01:26,960 some homes are. So it makes the number less staggering. I know when I looked at 1496 02:01:25,679 --> 02:01:32,320 it, I almost fell out of my chair to think, "Holy moly, that's almost one 1497 02:01:29,119 --> 02:01:36,960 full ward worth of uh homes that are in a rears." So, it is reassuring that it 1498 02:01:34,480 --> 02:01:41,360 isn't actually at the moment in a rears, but uh I think 1499 02:01:39,280 --> 02:01:46,320 uh an enhanced language around the reporting would be great. 1500 02:01:44,000 --> 02:01:50,719 » Council Chrisman. >> Yes, through you, Mayor. I think the 1501 02:01:48,159 --> 02:01:56,080 headline that two of the council members of WA Township were interveners would be 1502 02:01:53,360 --> 02:02:03,040 the one I would be thinking would be important to have. But that's just me 1503 02:01:59,520 --> 02:02:09,040 cuz I pay quarterly. [laughter] But 1504 02:02:04,639 --> 02:02:14,960 uh the question I have uh is related to the other end of the spectrum about uh 1505 02:02:12,719 --> 02:02:22,239 personal bankruptcies, mortgage sales. Where do we stand in 1506 02:02:17,920 --> 02:02:29,840 line as a township in terms of residual value in a home sale? Uh do we stand 1507 02:02:26,080 --> 02:02:38,239 behind the mortgage holder and we get the sweeping so to speak or do we stand 1508 02:02:32,960 --> 02:02:44,639 ahead uh in terms of priority payment >> through you mayor Salin to council? Um 1509 02:02:41,040 --> 02:02:48,834 yes, if a property was in tax arars and ended up in a position of either 1510 02:02:46,400 --> 02:02:51,679 bankruptcy or um you know [clears throat] the property was 1511 02:02:49,840 --> 02:02:58,159 repossessed through the bank, yes, property taxes do um equate to a lean 1512 02:02:55,440 --> 02:03:03,199 and a rears would be paid out through those processes. So it doesn't happen 1513 02:03:01,040 --> 02:03:09,440 very often that we receive bankruptcy notice. Um but in the event that we do, 1514 02:03:06,560 --> 02:03:15,840 they are reviewed as received um to ensure that our interest is identified 1515 02:03:11,760 --> 02:03:20,000 in those documents as well. Any other questions or comments on this 1516 02:03:17,840 --> 02:03:25,520 council? I did just have one question. Um, in 1517 02:03:23,040 --> 02:03:33,360 terms of if we do unfortunately get to the stage of tax sales. Um, 1518 02:03:30,159 --> 02:03:39,360 this council did have one almost tax sale I think early on in our time. Um, 1519 02:03:36,719 --> 02:03:44,400 but it was brought forward to council. I think it was the week before it was 1520 02:03:40,960 --> 02:03:48,639 supposed to go um on sale. And so at that point, the property was actually 1521 02:03:47,040 --> 02:03:53,199 identified um to council and it actually resulted 1522 02:03:50,880 --> 02:03:57,760 in a good news story in that somebody watched the council meeting, contacted a 1523 02:03:55,440 --> 02:04:01,360 family member of the property owner and their riggers were addressed and the 1524 02:03:59,520 --> 02:04:04,800 property was able to be kept. To me, that's a good news story. I don't want 1525 02:04:02,800 --> 02:04:10,400 to see us having to sell properties for taxes. Um, so I guess I'm just curious 1526 02:04:07,760 --> 02:04:16,159 going forward recognizing that we've had a different shift in the financial 1527 02:04:13,040 --> 02:04:19,599 department and um, to your point, this is the first time we've really seen a 1528 02:04:17,679 --> 02:04:23,440 comprehensive report even on this, which I think is great. But yeah, I guess I 1529 02:04:21,920 --> 02:04:26,960 want to understand what does that look like going forward if that process were 1530 02:04:25,360 --> 02:04:31,440 to happen with any of the properties you've identified? 1531 02:04:29,119 --> 02:04:36,239 » Uh, through or to you, Mayor Salin, and to council. Um so [clears throat] 1532 02:04:33,840 --> 02:04:42,639 currently I am working diligently with property owners to try to find ways to 1533 02:04:39,360 --> 02:04:46,800 avoid moving forward in the process. Um we have about a week left for property 1534 02:04:44,800 --> 02:04:51,280 owners to still make arrangements with the municipality and I think you know 1535 02:04:49,360 --> 02:04:57,599 the fact that we've seen 22 property owners come forward so far is is great. 1536 02:04:54,719 --> 02:05:03,440 Um, in the event that a property owner was not able to satisfy one of the 1537 02:05:00,480 --> 02:05:07,040 options available, uh, a tax or rear certificate would be registered against 1538 02:05:05,199 --> 02:05:11,840 the property. That would likely be happening end of September, early 1539 02:05:09,520 --> 02:05:17,440 October. And from that date of registration, property owners have a 1540 02:05:14,159 --> 02:05:24,880 1-year cancellation period in which they can pay the sum of all aars to cancel 1541 02:05:21,599 --> 02:05:28,800 the tax sale process entirely. Um if the arars are not paid within that one-year 1542 02:05:26,800 --> 02:05:35,199 cancellation period, we would would be moving forward to the next phase which 1543 02:05:30,719 --> 02:05:40,000 would be um public tender and um the process is is long. There's 1544 02:05:37,840 --> 02:05:43,599 advertisement requirements, deadlines, but uh [clears throat] property owners 1545 02:05:41,760 --> 02:05:48,480 would realistically be looking about a year and a half out from now, maybe even 1546 02:05:46,159 --> 02:05:53,040 a little bit longer before it came to the point where a property was listed 1547 02:05:50,080 --> 02:05:57,360 for for public sale. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or 1548 02:05:55,599 --> 02:06:02,239 comments on this report? Again, it's just for information this evening. All 1549 02:05:59,599 --> 02:06:07,440 those in favor and that carries unanimously. 1550 02:06:03,760 --> 02:06:12,159 On to uh 14.11 and this is the Ontario Community 1551 02:06:09,599 --> 02:06:17,679 Infrastructure Funding Advocacy Beyond 2026 report. The recommendation is that 1552 02:06:15,599 --> 02:06:22,560 we receive this report for information and that council endorses the resolution 1553 02:06:20,000 --> 02:06:26,320 supporting MFOA's letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure and requesting the 1554 02:06:24,719 --> 02:06:31,119 province maintain the current enhanced OSF funding level beyond the 2026 1555 02:06:28,719 --> 02:06:35,440 allocation year and that council direct staff to forward the endorsed resolution 1556 02:06:33,360 --> 02:06:38,560 to the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and 1557 02:06:36,719 --> 02:06:45,280 Housing, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Finance Officers Associates 1558 02:06:41,599 --> 02:06:49,520 of Ontario and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Local 1559 02:06:47,440 --> 02:06:53,040 Member of Provincial Parliament, and any other parties deemed appropriate to get 1560 02:06:51,599 --> 02:06:57,440 this on the floor. May I have a mover? Moved by Councelor Wilkinson, seconded 1561 02:06:54,800 --> 02:07:02,159 by Councelor Martin, and I will invite our treasurer, Tracy Prince, to 1562 02:06:59,119 --> 02:07:06,480 introduce this report. >> Good evening, uh, Mayor and Counselors. 1563 02:07:04,480 --> 02:07:10,880 Um so the report in front of you is really just to support the advocacy of 1564 02:07:09,360 --> 02:07:16,960 MFOA uh to the province to continue the 1565 02:07:13,040 --> 02:07:25,920 increased increased um in the increase introduced in 2022 and 1566 02:07:21,599 --> 02:07:31,199 beyond. So it ends the end of 2026 and if it's decreased OSA funding for next 1567 02:07:29,040 --> 02:07:37,760 fiscal year it could result in about a 4.67% six 7% increase on the tax levy 1568 02:07:34,079 --> 02:07:42,639 just to make up that portion of it. Um and then or it looks at or we'd be 1569 02:07:40,239 --> 02:07:48,040 looking at further reducing potential capital investment to offset that loss. 1570 02:07:50,560 --> 02:07:58,639 » Okay. Thank you. Are there questions? Councelor Wilkinson. 1571 02:07:55,679 --> 02:08:03,679 » Thank you through the chair. Um, more comment, maybe a question in there, 1572 02:08:00,480 --> 02:08:08,239 but I think obviously it it's uh it makes sense to to sign on to this 1573 02:08:05,760 --> 02:08:11,920 advocacy and send uh the message uh upward in hopes that we can continue to 1574 02:08:10,639 --> 02:08:17,119 see this investment in our infrastructure specifically uh given 1575 02:08:14,400 --> 02:08:24,079 that we have uh quite a bit to address. Um, you know, the one concern is hearing 1576 02:08:20,320 --> 02:08:28,400 that it would result in a 4.67 uh levy increase. I don't necessarily share the 1577 02:08:26,000 --> 02:08:33,440 same perspective. I think my hope would be that when we are looking at our 1578 02:08:30,960 --> 02:08:39,520 10-year capital plans uh that there might be multiple options and that could 1579 02:08:35,679 --> 02:08:47,119 be one where it's maintained, one where maybe it looks at uh a 2% increase uh or 1580 02:08:43,280 --> 02:08:52,560 one that um potentially spreads out the the spending that was taking place over 1581 02:08:48,880 --> 02:08:56,480 the course of time. those to avoid uh a rather large increase um just related to 1582 02:08:55,199 --> 02:08:59,360 the loss of this funding. I mean, we knew that it had an end date. So, the 1583 02:08:57,920 --> 02:09:04,079 hope is is that we would hopefully plan for that. Um but that would just be my 1584 02:09:01,840 --> 02:09:09,440 my sort of brief comment as we head into budget season. Um you know, I I guess we 1585 02:09:07,840 --> 02:09:13,040 should probably anticipate that this is gone and then spread out the spending 1586 02:09:11,040 --> 02:09:18,159 appropriately. But that's all I would say on it. 1587 02:09:15,760 --> 02:09:22,079 » Any other questions or comments? Council Densall. Thank you to you, mayor. The 1588 02:09:20,560 --> 02:09:25,599 $736,000 shortfall, which is what we've been used 1589 02:09:24,320 --> 02:09:30,560 to getting in addition to what we're used to get. Uh, Director Vanderwal, 1590 02:09:28,320 --> 02:09:38,079 when you when we are looking at our infrastructure projects um for next 1591 02:09:33,199 --> 02:09:44,360 year, has have you planned um those uh that spend based on what we were 1592 02:09:41,360 --> 02:09:44,360 receiving 1593 02:09:46,239 --> 02:09:53,679 » uh through the mayor? Yes, we would be anticipating similar spending with minor 1594 02:09:51,760 --> 02:09:57,960 increases to keep up with our infrastructure deficit as we have. 1595 02:10:00,320 --> 02:10:09,040 » Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Um I just wanted to say uh thank 1596 02:10:07,440 --> 02:10:13,840 you very much Treasurer Prince for bringing this forward. Um one positive 1597 02:10:12,719 --> 02:10:19,840 thing is we are not the only municipality in this boat. Um, and AMO 1598 02:10:17,440 --> 02:10:24,320 and Roma are continuing to advocate as well as when uh, councelor Cresman and I 1599 02:10:22,079 --> 02:10:28,000 were up in Ottawa last week at AMO. I did have some conversations with uh, the 1600 02:10:26,639 --> 02:10:32,320 Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in particular on this as well as 1601 02:10:29,760 --> 02:10:37,599 the Minister of Finance. Um, have had other conversations with his team about 1602 02:10:35,440 --> 02:10:41,199 this and what they are currently saying, but take 1603 02:10:39,760 --> 02:10:45,520 it with a grain of salt because I have yet to see anything in writing. Um but 1604 02:10:43,760 --> 02:10:51,119 currently they are stating that they are well aware of this and it is something 1605 02:10:47,679 --> 02:10:56,079 that they are um hoping to look to make municipalities whole. Again, not holding 1606 02:10:54,480 --> 02:11:01,440 my breath because they've also said that we'll be made whole on other funding. Um 1607 02:10:58,800 --> 02:11:06,239 but I do appreciate you bringing this uh forward and I do believe that this is a 1608 02:11:04,000 --> 02:11:10,960 part of the long-term financial planning works that uh will be coming forward in 1609 02:11:08,800 --> 02:11:16,079 the budget for the next council as well. Um so with that again this is to receive 1610 02:11:14,000 --> 02:11:20,800 for information tonight to endorse a resolution supporting MFOA's letter and 1611 02:11:18,239 --> 02:11:27,840 then to circulate to uh the appropriate parties. I will call the vote all those 1612 02:11:23,520 --> 02:11:33,040 in favor and that carries unanimously. Uh on to our bylaws for this evening and 1613 02:11:31,199 --> 02:11:36,639 the recommendation is that they be read a first, second and third time and 1614 02:11:34,639 --> 02:11:41,040 finally passed an open council. I would look for a mover. 1615 02:11:39,119 --> 02:11:48,239 Moved by councelor Martin, seconded by councelor Chrisman. And all those in 1616 02:11:44,400 --> 02:11:52,079 favor. And that carries unanimously. Um I am going to turn it over to councelor 1617 02:11:50,320 --> 02:11:55,079 Wilkinson to chair while I introduce my motion. 1618 02:11:56,400 --> 02:12:09,440 » Uh so we move to notices of motions. Um, I will call on Mayor Stalin to bring 1619 02:12:06,800 --> 02:12:13,679 forward her notice of motion, please. >> Thank you. Um, so this notice of motion 1620 02:12:11,679 --> 02:12:20,480 council's had for a while now because it was originally on our July never ending 1621 02:12:16,239 --> 02:12:26,079 council meeting. Um, but really what I'm why I'm bringing this forward is noting 1622 02:12:23,199 --> 02:12:30,639 that we have a lot of amazing local businesses in our community, including 1623 02:12:28,800 --> 02:12:35,760 agricultural operations that are essential to our economic um vitality 1624 02:12:34,320 --> 02:12:40,159 really of our community. And I think it's important to note the great things 1625 02:12:38,079 --> 02:12:45,440 that are going on. Um, some other municipalities do have recognition 1626 02:12:42,719 --> 02:12:50,800 programs and I'm really just hoping that council uh ask staff or direct staff to 1627 02:12:49,040 --> 02:12:54,880 prepare a framework for business appreciation program. Uh, this would 1628 02:12:53,119 --> 02:12:59,360 include eligibility criteria and nomination processes and recognition 1629 02:12:57,119 --> 02:13:05,599 methods. I'm not looking for this to be a makework project or a financial um 1630 02:13:03,679 --> 02:13:10,560 implication. I'm really looking for it to be more of a good news opportunity 1631 02:13:07,599 --> 02:13:16,400 and a way to acknowledge um our local businesses. Right now, we do things like 1632 02:13:13,360 --> 02:13:21,040 produce scrolls um of recognition for businesses, but it's really on a request 1633 02:13:19,360 --> 02:13:26,159 basis and they would even need to know that that exists. I think this takes a 1634 02:13:23,280 --> 02:13:31,520 more proactive approach and is a good community building opportunity. Um, but 1635 02:13:29,199 --> 02:13:37,920 like I said, not looking for it to be a make work or um add any cost. So, I'm 1636 02:13:35,199 --> 02:13:41,199 not looking for compensation or getting into making big plaques or anything 1637 02:13:39,760 --> 02:13:45,679 really. Uh, just looking for an opportunity to celebrate the great 1638 02:13:42,800 --> 02:13:51,280 businesses that make uh Wilmont a fantastic place to live and work. So, 1639 02:13:47,679 --> 02:13:56,880 I'd be looking for a seconder. Um, I think councelor Dunstall there, but uh 1640 02:13:54,960 --> 02:14:03,800 I'll turn it back to the chair. Seconded by councelor Dunstall. Uh there any 1641 02:13:59,360 --> 02:14:03,800 questions for Mayor Sal on this 1642 02:14:04,400 --> 02:14:13,040 or councelor Dunstall. >> Thank you through you 1643 02:14:09,760 --> 02:14:17,599 chair. Um the only comment I have is that I'm really upset that I didn't 1644 02:14:14,320 --> 02:14:20,599 think of this. Um and I support it wholeheartedly. 1645 02:14:22,480 --> 02:14:32,719 » Councilman. Yes. Uh just uh through you chair. Um 1646 02:14:30,000 --> 02:14:39,880 the question I had was is there a time of year you would like to see this uh 1647 02:14:35,440 --> 02:14:39,880 award be made? 1648 02:14:40,320 --> 02:14:47,119 » Thank you through you chair. Um so I'll be honest what brought on the 1649 02:14:45,280 --> 02:14:54,239 thinking about it was the citizen of the year awards which are at the fall fair. 1650 02:14:50,320 --> 02:15:00,560 Um so every September. However, I am open to um really what staff find or if 1651 02:14:58,800 --> 02:15:05,199 council or the community has a particular um interest. There are some 1652 02:15:03,040 --> 02:15:12,079 communities, for example, that every month in their council meeting recognize 1653 02:15:08,400 --> 02:15:17,440 um a local business. Some municipalities um do it per ward. So, each counselor 1654 02:15:14,639 --> 02:15:22,800 gets to bring forward and propose. So, I don't have a set defined um idea. I 1655 02:15:20,800 --> 02:15:28,440 really just more so want to get some framework and understand what could be 1656 02:15:24,560 --> 02:15:28,440 feasible and will want. 1657 02:15:29,280 --> 02:15:36,239 » Any additional questions? Okay. So, calling the vote all those in 1658 02:15:34,239 --> 02:15:42,320 favor and that carries unanimously and I will 1659 02:15:39,119 --> 02:15:48,960 uh see the chair back to Mayor Sullivan. >> Thank you very much, Councelor 1660 02:15:44,560 --> 02:15:53,760 Wilkinson. Um on to we do have another uh notice of motion in front of us from 1661 02:15:51,199 --> 02:15:58,159 councelor Crestman. It would require a twothirds vote of councel to be 1662 02:15:55,520 --> 02:16:03,040 entertained. So um I'm assuming councelor Cresman's going to move waving 1663 02:16:00,159 --> 02:16:08,000 the notice of motion seconded by councelor Wilkinson. Uh so this vote is 1664 02:16:06,480 --> 02:16:12,960 just on waving notice and then I'll let councelor Cresman speak if the notice is 1665 02:16:10,480 --> 02:16:16,639 waved. So all those in favor that carries unanimously. I will now turn it 1666 02:16:15,040 --> 02:16:24,639 over to councelor Cresman to introduce his motion. 1667 02:16:19,920 --> 02:16:30,000 » So, um, this motion, uh, is a result of, uh, what happened in Mannheim on August 1668 02:16:27,199 --> 02:16:37,760 8th and 9th. I was brought to my attention on the 9th at about 4:30 in 1669 02:16:33,679 --> 02:16:43,760 the afternoon of uh, issues happening in Mannheim. So I will go through the 1670 02:16:40,800 --> 02:16:48,559 whereases here. Whereas the township uh received more than a dozen noise 1671 02:16:45,920 --> 02:16:53,760 complaints related to an unsanctioned event that occurred on Ble Road in 1672 02:16:50,399 --> 02:16:57,920 Manheim area on August 8 and 9. And whereas the incident highlighted 1673 02:16:55,359 --> 02:17:03,519 concerns regarding the township's ability to respond to noise complaints 1674 02:17:01,439 --> 02:17:09,920 occurring during week nights and weekends when regular bylaw enforcement 1675 02:17:07,040 --> 02:17:16,160 services are not provided. And whereas the township current noise by bylaw only 1676 02:17:13,120 --> 02:17:21,439 is applicable between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. limiting the 1677 02:17:18,559 --> 02:17:27,854 township's ability. And I would say as well Waterlue Regional Police Services's 1678 02:17:24,479 --> 02:17:32,160 ability to address certain noise [clears throat] related complaints 1679 02:17:29,679 --> 02:17:39,599 occurring outside of those hours. And whereas uh residents have expressed 1680 02:17:35,679 --> 02:17:45,200 concerns regarding both the hours which the noise bylaw applies and the 1681 02:17:42,160 --> 02:17:51,200 township's ability to respond to noise complaints when they occur out of 1682 02:17:47,599 --> 02:17:58,800 outside of regular uh business or bylaw enforcement hours. Therefore, be it 1683 02:17:53,519 --> 02:18:04,639 resolved to that a uh to investigate staff to investigate and report back to 1684 02:18:01,359 --> 02:18:11,040 council on options and alternative for providing uh bylaw enforcement to noise 1685 02:18:08,080 --> 02:18:18,639 complaints during weekends during week nights and weekends in con including 1686 02:18:15,920 --> 02:18:24,240 potential service delivery models in-house or contracted 1687 02:18:21,359 --> 02:18:30,240 uh response protocols with the Waterl Regional Police Service Services and 1688 02:18:26,880 --> 02:18:35,519 associated costs. And B, that staff review the township's noise bylaw and 1689 02:18:33,120 --> 02:18:40,319 report back to council with options for amendments that would provide the 1690 02:18:37,840 --> 02:18:45,040 township with the ability to regulate unreasonable 1691 02:18:41,840 --> 02:18:52,000 noise throughout the day and evening. and C that as part of the staff review 1692 02:18:49,120 --> 02:18:59,040 the noise bylaws and enforcement practices of neighboring municipalities 1693 02:18:55,599 --> 02:19:06,399 to identify best practices and provide recommendations for potential amendments 1694 02:19:02,160 --> 02:19:14,719 to the township's uh noise bylaw and enforcement approach and that a report 1695 02:19:09,840 --> 02:19:20,479 uh to council no later than Q1 of 2020 27. So I'm I guess I I'd look to move 1696 02:19:18,559 --> 02:19:24,399 that and >> councelor Wilkinson is seconding. 1697 02:19:23,120 --> 02:19:30,559 Councelor Wilkinson, did you want to speak it as speak to it as a seconder 1698 02:19:28,000 --> 02:19:34,719 » through the chair? Uh I I I like the spirit of this and and where councelor 1699 02:19:32,080 --> 02:19:40,479 Cresman is going. Um, this is something I've heard and and even in just having 1700 02:19:36,800 --> 02:19:44,080 discussions um with our bylaw department. I think there's one thing 1701 02:19:41,920 --> 02:19:47,040 that I'd like to see even uh in addition to this while they're they're looking, 1702 02:19:45,599 --> 02:19:53,920 not that we need to make an amendment to it, but um we as I've become aware do 1703 02:19:50,560 --> 02:19:59,439 not have the tools to even measure noise um which is of concern. So I hope that 1704 02:19:56,720 --> 02:20:05,800 we can uh in addition to this look at making sure that we acquire the 1705 02:20:00,720 --> 02:20:05,800 equipment in order to uh measure 1706 02:20:06,240 --> 02:20:17,200 » uh councelor Cresman. >> Yes. Uh I responded on the uh Sunday the 1707 02:20:12,960 --> 02:20:23,280 9th was informed that this has happened uh on subsequent occasions in previous 1708 02:20:20,000 --> 02:20:29,840 years. Only this year uh it went all night. previous years it stopped at 11. 1709 02:20:26,800 --> 02:20:37,600 Uh certainly we as the township hadn't been informed of previous year 1710 02:20:32,160 --> 02:20:42,880 complaints. Um I actually uh sat in the li in the kitchen of uh an individual I 1711 02:20:41,040 --> 02:20:47,920 knew right across the road from where this was all happening. Uh people were 1712 02:20:45,520 --> 02:20:57,120 walking in from Kitchener or that direction and walking up the driveway. 1713 02:20:51,439 --> 02:21:04,560 Um and uh the police uh responded after they received numerous complaints. Uh 1714 02:21:00,080 --> 02:21:11,920 the police officer uh was um very responsive. He went in on site and said, 1715 02:21:08,319 --> 02:21:18,800 "Uh, I can't do anything now, but if this goes on beyond 10:30," he gave that 1716 02:21:16,160 --> 02:21:26,000 as a line in the sand, knowing that 11:00 was the only time that he could he 1717 02:21:22,960 --> 02:21:34,080 could do anything. Uh, you will receive a fine for every minute the noise is is 1718 02:21:29,760 --> 02:21:42,399 beyond uh 11. But he was very concerned with the number of residents that were 1719 02:21:36,399 --> 02:21:49,439 so upset after two nights of this and uh restarting at 3 in the afternoon on 1720 02:21:45,359 --> 02:21:54,319 Sunday that he was expressing concern that residents would not try to walk up 1721 02:21:51,920 --> 02:21:59,359 the driveway because they didn't know what reception they would receive from 1722 02:21:56,800 --> 02:22:05,840 what was happening. People were camping out in the adjoining fields. Uh wheat 1723 02:22:03,359 --> 02:22:12,319 had been harvested, wheat stubble was there, people were camping. Um so 1724 02:22:09,359 --> 02:22:20,720 regardless to say uh there was a lot of upset residents and uh I see this as an 1725 02:22:17,120 --> 02:22:26,720 important initiative uh to indicate that we're addressing and that we're going to 1726 02:22:23,040 --> 02:22:33,359 have something uh that will ensure not just this but other situations can be 1727 02:22:29,840 --> 02:22:39,920 addressed into the future. >> Any other questions or comments on this? 1728 02:22:36,560 --> 02:22:43,840 All right. Um, seeing none, I would just say thank you counselor for bringing 1729 02:22:41,680 --> 02:22:47,600 this forward because uh I don't know if I got as many complaints as you, but I 1730 02:22:45,600 --> 02:22:52,560 know that I did as well. And I appreciate that we're looking to close 1731 02:22:49,280 --> 02:22:56,720 the gap on uh this service that we didn't quite realize was a problem. Um, 1732 02:22:54,880 --> 02:23:02,080 and hopefully that will make residents pleased as we go forward and give bylaw 1733 02:22:59,200 --> 02:23:06,080 and our WRPS uh the opportunity to actually enforce what we have in place. 1734 02:23:04,479 --> 02:23:11,840 Uh, with that, I will call the vote. All those in favor and that carries 1735 02:23:08,080 --> 02:23:17,600 unanimously. Uh for announcements, I do have a few. I wanted to note uh the New 1736 02:23:14,960 --> 02:23:23,439 Hamburg Fall Fair is happening September 17th to 20th and that is down at the 1737 02:23:21,040 --> 02:23:28,240 fairgrounds at Norm Hill Park in New Hamburg. 1738 02:23:25,280 --> 02:23:33,680 I also want to wish best of luck to those headed back to school uh in the 1739 02:23:31,280 --> 02:23:38,960 next few weeks. And with that, a reminder that um the speeds in front of 1740 02:23:36,560 --> 02:23:44,399 Saratam Beck and Waterlue Oxford do go back to the school speed times. So 1741 02:23:41,200 --> 02:23:49,760 starting September 1st um I think it's between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. it will 1742 02:23:46,960 --> 02:23:54,800 be a 40 km zone and then after those hours it will be 60 km and 60 km on 1743 02:23:52,800 --> 02:24:00,319 weekends. But just remember that because I'm sure WRPS will be out ticketing. Um, 1744 02:23:58,720 --> 02:24:05,439 I also wanted to note that the township's official plan is now posted 1745 02:24:02,240 --> 02:24:09,120 on the provincial website um for the EO posting for comment. So, if people 1746 02:24:07,280 --> 02:24:13,920 wanted to add additional comments to the province, they can do so. Um, and other 1747 02:24:12,080 --> 02:24:18,880 than that, just a reminder that our next regular council meeting is to be 1748 02:24:16,399 --> 02:24:23,680 scheduled on Monday, November the 9th at 6:00 p.m. And I will turn it over to 1749 02:24:21,600 --> 02:24:28,560 councelor Dunl, I believe, also has some exciting news. 1750 02:24:25,600 --> 02:24:34,479 » Thank you, Mayor. I am excited. I'm very pleased to announce that our veterans 1751 02:24:30,560 --> 02:24:40,640 crosswalk uh is scheduled tentatively. I don't want uh director Vanderwal to um 1752 02:24:37,280 --> 02:24:43,920 lose his mind, but it is scheduled for the first week of September or 1753 02:24:42,479 --> 02:24:49,200 thereabouts and we will certainly be publicizing that. And I have to say this 1754 02:24:46,319 --> 02:24:52,720 has been a true community event. Um we or community effort. We have been 1755 02:24:51,120 --> 02:24:56,000 working with the board of trade, of course, with the New Hamburg Legion, 1756 02:24:54,560 --> 02:25:00,399 with the township, and especially with all of those who contributed to make 1757 02:24:57,600 --> 02:25:05,439 this happen. You know, my father-in-law or my father-in-law, my husband's uh 1758 02:25:02,640 --> 02:25:09,520 grandfather got the Kuad Gad for capturing 200 enemy soldiers at the end 1759 02:25:07,760 --> 02:25:13,600 of the war, and he was just a kid himself. And when I think of those 1760 02:25:10,800 --> 02:25:19,680 things, uh those young uh men uh going out to war and women, um it uh is an 1761 02:25:17,120 --> 02:25:23,520 honor to be involved in this initiative. So, I just want to make sure keep an eye 1762 02:25:21,200 --> 02:25:29,359 out. We will be publicizing it and it will be installed on uh Hiron Hiron Road 1763 02:25:27,439 --> 02:25:31,840 and uh looking forward to it. So, thank you. 1764 02:25:30,479 --> 02:25:36,960 » Thank you, counselor. Are there any other announcements? 1765 02:25:33,920 --> 02:25:40,160 Okay, seeing none, uh we did not have closed, therefore we have no business 1766 02:25:38,479 --> 02:25:43,520 arising from it. So, I'd look for a mover and a seconder for the 1767 02:25:41,280 --> 02:25:47,840 confirmatory bylaw. Moved by council Martin, seconded by 1768 02:25:44,960 --> 02:25:53,439 councelor Sue. All those in favor? That carries unanimously and adjournment 1769 02:25:50,800 --> 02:25:58,399 councelor Crestman seconded by councelor Sadu. All those in favor and that 1770 02:25:56,319 --> 02:26:01,720 carries unanimously. Thank you and have a great night.